A medical doctor, Michael Ajidahun popularly known as The Bearded Dr Sina has provided explanations on the reason men give chocolates to women on Valentine’s Day.
Although there have been controversies and theories about what Valentine’s Day truly means, over the years, every February 14 has been universally accepted as the date when lovers celebrate their affection through gifts, greetings, and others.
Some of the gifts that are popular with Valentine’s Day, particularly for ladies are cakes, flowers, chocolates and recently money bouquets.
Ajidahun in his tweet said that chocolates were usually given by men to women because they boost some chemicals like serotonin which helps with mood and sexual stimulation.
He wrote, “Chocolates are natural sex enhancers & can help you last longer with harder erections. They contain phenylethylamine and serotonin, which can help with mood, sexual stimulation & erections.
“Reason why a lot of ladies receive chocolate during Valentine’s Day; they don’t know.”
Also, research presented at the 2018 Experimental Biology meeting found that eating 48 grams (g) — a little more than 1.5 oz — of 70% cacao organic chocolate increased neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new synaptic connections, which could have positive effects on memory, cognition, and mood.
Sharing insights on this, a health journal, EveryDay Health, noted that some studies have shown that consuming dark chocolate with high percentages of cacao, such as 70%, may benefit your brain.
Also, a food scientist and dietician, Dr Joy DuBost, explained that there is research indicating that chocolate stimulates neural activity in areas of the brain associated with pleasure and reward, which in turn decreases stress and improves mood.
Other known benefits of dark chocolates include heart health, improved blood-sugar levels, reduced risk of diabetes when consumed accurately, gut health, and weight loss amongst others.