Bittersweet Symphony

I was originally planning to write today’s post about cruciferous vegetables. But then I looked at the calendar. It’s Valentine’s Day. And let’s be honest: Nothing says "Romance" less than the smell of boiling broccoli.

So, let’s pivot to the official food of February 14th: Chocolate. In the health world, chocolate gets a bad rap because it usually comes wrapped in foil and packed with sugar. But if you strip away the milk and the sugar, you are left with Cacao. And Cacao isn't candy; it is a legitimate superfood with a potent chemical profile.

The Chemistry of Affection (Theobromine)

We often compare chocolate to coffee, but the stimulant in chocolate is different. It’s called Theobromine. Unlike Caffeine (which is a nervous system stimulant that can make you jittery), Theobromine is a vasodilator and a muscle relaxant.

• The Effect: It dilates your blood vessels, lowering blood pressure and improving blood flow.

• The Feeling: It provides a gentle, steady alertness and a mood lift, without the crash. The Greeks called it Theobroma (or "food from the gods", from θεός (theós), meaning 'god' or 'divine', and βρῶμα (brôma), meaning 'food') for a reason.

The Heart Health Connection (Nitric Oxide)

I have an upcoming post on how a common low-carb sweetener I use might lower Nitric Oxide (the gas that relaxes blood vessels). Dark Chocolate is the antidote. Cacao is packed with Flavanols. These phytonutrients signal the lining of your arteries to produce Nitric Oxide. More Nitric Oxide = relaxed arteries, better circulation, and lower blood pressure. So, giving your partner dark chocolate is literally "good for their heart."

The Protocol: How to Buy It

Not all chocolate qualifies. A Hershey’s bar is not a superfood; it’s a sugar bomb. To get the medicinal benefits without the insulin spike, you need to follow the "85% Rule."

1. The Percentage: Ideally, look for 85% Cacao or higher.

   • 70% is the "training wheels" (still too much sugar).

   • 85% is the sweet spot (literally and figuratively).

   • 90-95% is for the "advanced class" (acquired taste, but minimal sugar - I frequently have 95% if I can find it, or 90% if not).

2. The Ingredient Audit: The first ingredient should be "Cocoa Mass" or "Chocolate Liquor," not "Sugar."

3. The Process: Look for "Non-Alkalized" or "Natural" cocoa.

   "Dutch Processed" (Alkalized) chocolate is treated to reduce bitterness, but this process destroys up to 60% of the beneficial flavanols. You want the bitterness; that’s the medicine.

The Takeaway

You don't have to sit out Valentine's Day just because you are eating clean. Enjoy a square or two of high-quality, 90% dark chocolate. Let it melt slowly on your tongue to absorb the Theobromine. It’s good for your heart, good for your mood, and infinitely more romantic than a plate of broccoli.