FACT: Chocolate is not addictive¹
We all know there is a difference between addictions and cravings. And as you might have guessed, chocolate is the most commonly craved food in the American culture² — especially among women. What we might not realize is that everyone is born with the natural craving for sweets because our body needs a certain amount of sugar and fat to function properly. However, the substance found in chocolate does not appear in high enough amounts to exert any significant influence. The most likely reason for a craving? Psychological or sensory.

FACT: Chocolate has low caffeine
It’s simple. A 1.4 oz. piece of chocolate has about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of decaffeinated coffee³: about 5-6 milligrams⁴. Brewed coffee contains at least 100 milligrams per eight-ounce cup.

FACT: Chocolate is heart-safe
The first thing to remember is: not all fats are bad. Chocolate does have fatty acids such as stearic acid – shown to have a neutral effect on blood cholesterol levels. A new study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition actually indicates that chocolate is high in antioxidants that may benefit the heart⁵.

FACT: Chocolate isn’t ‘really’ an aphrodisiac
Melt-in-your mouth sweetness (think b.sweets’ pillow talk™ marshmallows), seductive aroma, smooth and creamy to the tongue…OK – we can’t deny that chocolate is an uber-romantic gift, that special treats can definitely help set the mood and that chocolate makes you feel good…but there’s really not any clear cut modern day research that indicates chocolate has aphrodisiac qualities. However, we do admire the ancient Aztecs for creating this notion and are continually impressed with the longevity of the tale. We know that chocolate is a known mood elevator and it contains phenylenthylamine, the same chemical releases in our bodies when we fall in love. Now, that may just get you in the mood.

FACT: Chocolate doesn’t cause migraines
Research at the University of Pittsburgh showed no link between chocolate and headaches. Chronic headaches are thought to be caused by chemical releases in the nervous system, often triggered by lifestyle changes such as stress or disrupted sleep patterns, menstruation or hunger⁶.

FACT: Chocolate is not the main culprit of teenage and adult acne⁷
UGH! It’s not nice to point fingers – but somewhere along the way – a teenage kid broke out with a terrible case of acne coincidentally after eating a candy bar – and to make a case, mom and dad said "it must be all the chocolate you ate!" But really, acne occurs only when there is a blockage in the flow of oil from sebaceous follicles in the skin. Studies dating back to the 1970’s indicate that dietary intake does not have a direct link to the flow of oil. Just ask The American Dietetic Association or the American Academy of Dermatology.

1. Chocolate is much more than a symbol of love – it contains phenylethylamine, the same chemical releases in our bodies when we actually fall in love.⁸
   
   
2. Chocolate helps to reduce stress naturally by releasing the calming brain chemical, serotonin.⁹
   
   
3. Chocolate is a natural mood enhancer – it releases "feel-good" endorphins.¹⁰
   
   
4. Chocolate contains antioxidants – special disease fighting chemicals that help keep us healthy.¹¹
   
   
5. Chocolate helps keep the arteries clean – it contains more antioxidants than red wine.¹²
   
   
6. Chocolate has relatively little impact when it comes to causing tooth decay. Chocolate tends to clear the mouth quickly, limiting time it is in contact with the teeth.¹³
   
   
7. Chocolate is low in caffeine – one ounce has only about 5-6mg of caffeine.¹⁴
   
   
8. Chocolate is low in cholesterol – dark chocolate contains no cholesterol.¹⁵

The retail chocolate industry in the U.S. is worth $13 billion a year.¹⁶

Annual per capita consumption of chocolate in the U.S. is almost 12 pounds.¹⁷

Most Americans prefer milk chocolate – approximately 65% – over dark/bitter chocolate.¹⁸

Chocolate is a complex food with over 500 flavor components, more than twice the amount found in strawberry and vanilla.

Valentine's Day still means chocolate! Americans spend $1.059 billion each Valentine's Day on candy, making it the fourth biggest holiday of the year for confectionery purchases (after Halloween, Christmas and Easter).¹⁹

68% of American men age 50 or older say they'd prefer receiving chocolate over flowers from their sweetheart on Valentine's Day.²⁰

Chocolate manufacturers use 40% of the world's almonds, 20% of the world's peanuts and 8% of the world's sugar. Members of the Chocolate Manufacturers Association use about 3.5 million pounds of the world's whole milk each day to make milk chocolate.²¹

Chocolate is America's overwhelmingly favorite flavor. A recent survey revealed that 52 percent of U.S. adults said they like chocolate best. The second favorite flavors were a tie (at 12 percent each) between berry flavors and vanilla.²²

65% of American chocolate eaters prefer milk chocolate.²³

The melting point of cocoa butter is just below the human body temperature — which is why it literally melts in your mouth.²⁴

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