We’ve always been creatures of comfort so it’s hardly surprising to see women unwittingly reach for sweet treats when they’re feeling blue. If things aren’t going our way it’s almost a duty to indulge in comfort foods like chocolate, ice-cream or tea and biscuits.
You can say it’s a kinda love drug - we just can’t get enough of it. And there’s even back-up to prove it.
An AXA study looking at little things that mean a lot, has revealed that 49% of women turn to sweet treats when they’re feeling depressed and lonely.
So what treat can really turn a girl’s frown upside down? Chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate.
The study revealed that women are turning to chocolate for that feel-good factor we get when we’re in love. It was revealed that almost 25% of women are tucking in compared to just 15% of men.
Psychologist Donna Dawson said: “Chocolate, in particular, contains a chemical that not only mimics the 'feel-good' hormones that the brain releases when happy (the endorphins), but also contains a chemical called 'phenylethylamine', which creates the same sensation as falling in love.
So who needs love when you’ve got a box of chocolates to hand? This golden treat not only raises our spirits and triggers the feeling of being in love but it’s also totally good for your health too.
Because chocolate derives from the cocoa bean it’s bursting with nutrients including vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, E and pantothenic acid which are all essential for wellness and vitality.
Donna adds: “Women will usually reach for chocolate when they are depressed, lonely, bored or having relationship problems.”
Brilliant! That’s our whole lives sorted then. But what are men turning to for comfort? Our bets were on GTA or a pint of Fosters, but when it comes to food, research shows that our guys have salty tooths preferring savoury treats over sweets for satisfaction.
“Men, whose taste buds react more strongly to salty, bitter or spicy flavours, will more naturally favour a roast dinner or a curry.”
Now we know the only way to conquer a girl’s mood is through some cocoa-chemistry we don’t think we’ll be giving up chocolate any time soon! What do you think? Tweet us @sofeminineUK
