Chocolate as an Aphrodisiac

This is definitely one of the reasons for chocolate’s popularity – it is regarded as a potent aphrodisiac, a decadence that unleashes inhibition and provokes a desire for the sinful things in life. There are many, many instances of the powers of chocolate to provoke and enhance sexual prowess: Emperor Montezuma firmly believed that it was chocolate that allowed him to satisfy his harem of 600 women; he drank 50 cups of chocolate a day to perform this remarkable feat. Legendary lover Casanova was also said to owe it all to chocolate, while the Marquis de Sade delighted in serving heady, intense chocolate desserts in order to drive his guests to wild abandon. The infamous mistress Madame DuBarry, lover of King Louis XV of France, insisted on feeding her lovers chocolate in bed to ensure they could keep up with her amorous desires. Whatever about the delicious legends, the truth of the matter is that chocolate contains Phenylethylamine and Seratonin, both of which work as mood-altering messengers, sending feel-good vibes around the body that relax us and make us feel mildly euphoric. These are the same messengers that take over when we fall in love and feel lust, so it’s safe to say that you can have a passionate love affair with chocolate!