Why do we feel so much pleasure when chocolate melts in our mouth?

Scientists from the University of Leeds (United Kingdom) have just investigated the

into a smooth emulsion that unleashes an irrepressible storm of pleasure in our organism.

As they have been able to verify, the secret of this sensory journey lies in the

, either by its own ingredients, by saliva or by a combination of both.

Apparently, fat - that of

- plays a key role from the very moment the

.

After that, the solid cocoa particles are released, gaining importance in terms of tactile sensation.

All of this has led the study authors to believe that

plays a fairly limited role, so it

.

A fact that is phenomenal for them, because the objective of this research is precisely the development of a new

that have the same texture and generate the same sensations, but that are healthier.

"What chocolate has is

that, when it comes into contact with our tongue and palate, melts,

and providing that wonderful sensation of pleasure. This process is known as 'fat bloom' or '

", explains María Amaro, nutrition specialist.

What's more, he continues, "the

means that, in its solid state, it has

However, the palate allows it to melt evenly in our mouths."

Why do we feel pleasure when chocolate melts in our mouths?

"Because, by doing so,

. Chocolate contains

, a substance very similar to caffeine that, by stimulating serotonin - a good mood hormone - gives us an immense feeling of well-being. Hence , that chocolate is popularly designated as a substitute for sex".

is

the one that gives us a more intense sensation of pleasure.

"It contains

that directly affects

and this helps to neutralize stress. For this reason, it is the one that I always recommend when people go on a diet to counteract the discomfort that it entails."

It acts directly on the central nervous system, due to its

.

"For this reason, when women feel bad or down in the days before their period, the body asks us for chocolate. It is something real, it is not a myth. We have low serotonin, we feel lower in

and

It gives us that rush we need."

In this sense, he reminds us that "if we really crave something, it is because our body needs it and is asking us for it. If it asks us for

, and we are not particularly sweet or chocolatiers, it is because, perhaps, it makes us there is a lack of

even omega 3 fatty acids and, surely, we will find ourselves more tired or lacking in energy".

This specialist advocates "for including it in our usual diet" for its multiple benefits.

"Not only

, increasing blood flow, and it's been shown to help prevent diseases like Alzheimer's."

It also has "a

which makes it a food with great antioxidant properties, which improves cognitive performance, reduces the risk of dementia and favors concentration."

Of course, "due to the

it contains, it can trigger headaches in people with a propensity to suffer them."

Taking chocolate

on a regular basis can be beneficial, "as long as it is

."

And even "you can take up to

."

Is it good to have an ounce of chocolate before going to sleep?

"Yes, but only one. Because

and if we overdo it, we'll have a hard time sleeping. My advice? One ounce in the morning and another before going to bed."

What is the healthiest cocoa percentage?

"It is usually said that from 85% cocoa, but it seems to me that this percentage is too high and can cause headaches and heartburn. Therefore, my recommendation is from 70%, with which

already all of the properties listed above would hold."

It must also be taken into account that, he continues, "the higher the cocoa percentage, the less sugar it will have."

White ,

warns, "is butter, the one with the most sugar and, therefore, the one that we should take only occasionally

treat ourselves."

There are thousands of chocolates on the market, but, to find out which is the healthiest, "it is enough to

to verify that it has a high percentage of

(70% and above); that the

levels are low ( It is not necessary that it does not have anything either); if it has some type of

and what type; and that it does not have too much cocoa butter".

Let's take note and... raise your hand whoever has managed to get to the end of this text without eating a piece of chocolate!

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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