IN PRAISE OF HEALTHY LIVING

Since breaking up with her boyfriend, the person who lives on the other side of the apartment has discovered CHOCOLATE. It is wondrous. And, lest she blimp up -- a prospect that frightens her, though she could use a bit of, errm, stuffing, what with being rather scrawny -- I have been sacrificing myself by co-partaking. Double chocolate icecream. Nutella.
The other Sees Chocolate.

The other Sees is further down Market, near Castro Street.

I have to wonder what she was doing there.

Probably not man-watching.

Chocolate.


I also like chocolate, and am anything if not an opportunist. My raids upon the chocolate supply are usually late at night, when a spot of something dark and bitter can be very enjoyable. A secret passion. When other people are watching I rarely eat chocolate. Although during the holidays I did demolish a man's share of the substance.

Me and a box of chocolate alone in a room.

Guess which of us two will survive.

It screams as I eat it.

All of it.


The problem with chocolate, if consumed in realistic portions, is that it makes you torpid, and yields a bloated feeling.

From Wikipedia:
"Cocoa solids are one of the richest sources of flavanol antioxidants. They also contain alkaloids such as theobromine, phenethylamine and caffeine. These have physiological effects on the body and are linked to serotonin levels in the brain. Some research has found that chocolate, eaten in moderation, can lower blood pressure."

Flavanol antioxidants sound like a mighty good thing.
So does lowering blood pressure.


Belgians, as you know, are very healthy people who live forever.
None of them have boyfriends.


THERAPEUTIC USES OF THEOBROMINE
[From Wikipedia.]

Quote:
In modern medicine, theobromine is used as a vasodilator (a blood vessel widener), a diuretic (urination aid), and heart stimulant.

Theobromine increases urine production. Because of this diuretic effect, and its ability to dilate blood vessels, theobromine has been used to treat high blood pressure. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition notes that historic use of theobromine as a treatment for other circulatory problems including arteriosclerosis, certain vascular diseases, angina pectoris, and hypertension should be considered in future studies.

Following its discovery in the late 19th century, theobromine was put to use by 1916, when it was recommended by the publication Principles of Medical Treatment as a treatment for edema (excessive liquid in parts of the body), syphilitic angina attacks, and degenerative angina.

In the human body, theobromine levels are halved between 6–10 hours after consumption.

- - - - - - -

Possible future uses of theobromine in such fields as cancer prevention have been patented.

Theobromine also shows promise in tooth decay prevention and has been shown in some studies to surpass the more traditional fluoride. Advantages include the ability to safely ingest it, obviating the "do not swallow" warnings on fluoride mouthwash.
End quote.


The Wikipedia articles about theobromine, antioxidants, and serotonin are exceptionally well-worth rereading, as they are more data-dense ("difficult to fully understand") than the chocolate entry.
Chocolate itself is very easy to understand.
Eat it, and you will feel happy.
Be more Belgian.



In other chocolate-related news, Nestlé USA is planning to remove artificial ingredients from candy it sells in the U.S. by the end of the year.
Jolly good. Crap like that does not belong in chocolate.
But feel free to up the cocoa content.
It's a health food.




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