If you have the feeling incomprehensible anguish, frequently changing moods, suffer from insomnia at night and in the morning on the contrary drowsiness, lack of energy and desire to do even the things you love, the soul slush, dull and sad - most likely, you are overcome by autumn depression.
In the autumn of depression there are certain reasons:
- In autumn, there is a decrease hormone serotonin, which is responsible for the regulation of mood and sleep-wake cycles. High levels of serotonin provides a good upbeat mood, a feeling of contentment and happiness.
- Another hormone, the amount of which decreases with a decrease in the intensity of sunlight - dopamine, and this reduction can decrease the concentration or loss of interest in life.
- Well, another reason for the blues can be a banal lack of vitamins and minerals in the body and lack of exercise, because in bad weather is much more difficult to bring myself to get out for a walk or exercise.
Well, affect the length of the day and make the sun to stay longer in the sky we can not but make adjustments in your lifestyle and diet is within our grasp. And how can we, along with other activities do not recall such a popular and beloved as a natural antidepressant bitter chocolate.
As the ancient Aztecs treated depression
It is not known whether suffering from depression ancient Aztecs, but use to set the mood tart and spicy drink made from the fruit of the chocolate tree, which they called cacao, it began tribes. First there were the Olmecs, they were replaced by the Mayans, in the pantheon of gods was even a god of cocoa, and they first started to cultivate cacao trees, smashed the first cocoa plantations. Then there were the Aztecs in the empire they founded, cocoa beans were used as money, and refreshing drinks are attributed not only useful, but sometimes mystical properties.
A beautiful legend, the god Quetzalcoatl out of compassion presented cacao seeds to people who have been expelled from the Garden of Eden. Of the fruits of the amazing trees grown from these seeds, people began to prepare a drink that gave wisdom, strength and energy.
Europe discovered the cacao tree in the first half of the XVI century, when Hernando Cortez plundered the Aztec emperor Montezuma's palace and encounter a few huge stocks of cocoa beans brought to the Spanish king and cocoa beans, and recipes for the drink "chokoatlya" (bitter water) . By the way, a well-known and beloved chocolate bars have learned to do only in 1847, and before that chocolate remained exclusively drink. It was used in the cold - roasted cocoa beans, which themselves have a bitter taste, mixed with water and then added to the mix the various ingredients - cinnamon, honey, and then the sugar and vanilla. The drink was quite expensive, and enjoy its taste could only aristocrats. No wonder the official botanical name, which was given a chocolate tree in 1737 - Theobroma cacao, literally translated from Latin - the "food of the gods of cocoa."
The fruit of the cacao tree look very elegant and attractive. Bright - from gentle greenish-yellow to reddish-purple and dark orange color - they look like a melon with pointed ends, or on a ridge cucumbers. Inside the fruit - are purple corn without the slightest smell of chocolate, this is the cocoa beans. A delightful aroma and taste divine favorite treats arises after a complicated and time-consuming process - fermentation, drying, roasting, grinding, pressing, blending, etc.
And sorrow depart, and longing will ...
Of course, first of all, chocolate is attractive for many of its pleasant sweet taste, the ability to melt in the mouth, smell and excellent combinability with many foods and beverages. But why do we distinguish chocolate among others, which are also very nice sweets? Due to some ingredients of chocolate has a noticeable psychoactive effects, why the consumption of even a relatively small amount of this product we have (at least, most) is noticeably lifted the mood?
Perhaps this is due to the very high content of magnesium in the cocoa bean, from which chocolate is made. It relieves stress, relieves anxiety and helps overcome depression, improves memory, strengthens immunity.
Studies have shown that dark chocolate stimulates the release of endorphins in the body - hormones of happiness and so uplifting, gives us a sense of pleasure and enjoyment. There is a dark chocolate remarkable amino acid tryptophan, which is formed of another "happiness hormone" serotonin - a substance, the lack of which in the autumn leads to depression and reduced vitality.
In addition, chocolate has small doses of caffeine and theobromine, which are also stimulants, positively influencing the efficiency and creativity of the person. However, the content of these components is quite small. Thus, in a chocolate bar caffeine of 30 mg, which is one half cup of tea.
Whether there is a chocolate addiction?
About Chocolate, how useful it is and whether there is harm from him, there is always a lot of controversy and debate on this topic continues. Quite often you can hear the fears of a chocolate addiction.
Yes, some of the substance of chocolate could cause dependence, drug-like, if we used the chocolate kilograms. After all, caffeine, theobromine, phenylethylamine, and that all substances falling under suspicion - they are too few in chocolate. For example, phenylethylamine (amphetamine substance) in the chocolate is 10 times less than in certain cheese varieties. There are a number of chocolate and cannabinoids - the active substances of the same family as the components of marijuana. But the concentration of these funds is also small, and to achieve any significant drug effect should eat at least 13 pounds of chocolate. Agree to submit a daily ration of favorite treats hard!
But the fact that the chocolate does not cause drug dependence, does not exclude the psychological dependence when love chocolate takes some pathological forms. In 98% of cases of excessive consumption of chocolate therapists explain abundantly accumulated psychological problems that still need to be solved, rather than stick with chocolate.
Eating about 40 grams of chocolate per day (the recommended dose), no way we can not become dependent on chocolate, no harm to your health, and even the opposite. After lifting the mood benefits of chocolate is not exhausted!
Look for its chemical composition and make it becomes clear that potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, sulfur - all these elements in a sufficiently large quantity. Besides, minerals - iron, zinc, copper, manganese, molybdenum, cobalt, plus vitamins (B1, B2, PP, F). Rich chocolate and antioxidants - flavonoids, which improve the circulatory system and prevent the formation of blood clots in the blood vessels of the heart and brain, he even competes in this respect with red wine.
According to a study of the German institute nutrition (DlfE) in Potsdam, just 6 grams of chocolate per day, presumably associated with a reduced risk of stroke and heart attack by 39 percent. A research by Japanese scientists, the use of up to 50 grams of chocolate every day largely prevent the development of cancer and peptic ulcer disease.
Not confirmed and fear of dentists that chocolate from developing cavities. Are reversed, the chocolate does not destroy the enamel of the teeth and even beneficial to teeth and gums. However, all the above applies only to dark chocolate, which are low in sugar, no milk components, and the amount of cocoa products is 60-80 percent. By the way, this chocolate is not harmful to the waist and good for your skin, polyphenols (flavonoids) contained in it, contribute to its normal functioning and thus keeps the skin youthful and healthy appearance.
So, if in the moment of grief and sorrow, when the window dismal autumn rain drizzles, you are drawn to eat a slice or two of chocolate, do not deny yourself the pleasure, harm will not be exact, but you see, and the mood will rise, and the gray day seem brighter!
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