Alabama NewsCenter — Chocolate and Valentine’s Day: a match made in heaven?

By Adam Pope

Are you planning to give your significant other a box of chocolates this Valentine’s Day? If so, one University of Alabama at Birmingham nutrition expert offers information about some of the health benefits of the decadent dessert and insight as to why it has become so popular during the holiday.

Lizzy Davis, an assistant professor with UAB’s Department of Nutrition Sciences, says chocolate can be synonymous with Valentine’s Day because cocoa beans contain tryptophan and phenylethylamine – chemicals that are connected with improved mood and happiness and make you feel energized.

“In fact, these are even coined the ‘love drug’ because they mimic the emotions a person feels when experiencing love,” Davis said.

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