Chocoholic

A chocoholic is a person who craves or compulsively consumes chocolate.[1] There is some medical evidence to support the existence of actual addiction to chocolate.[2] However, the term is mostly used loosely or humorously to describe a person who is inordinately fond of chocolate. The word chocoholic was first used in 1968 according to Merriam-Webster. It is a portmanteau of "chocolate" and "alcoholic".[1]

'Chocoholism' is quite common. In studies of food cravings, chocolate and chocolate confectioneries almost always top the list of foods people say they crave.[3]

Addiction

The essential components of addiction are intense craving for something, loss of control over the use of it, and continued use despite negative consequences. Studies have shown that people can exhibit all three of these components in relation to food, particularly food that contains sugar or fat. Since chocolate contains both, it is often used in studies of food addiction.[4]

In addition to sugar and fat, chocolate contains several substances that can make it feel "addictive". These include tryptophan, an essential amino acid that is a precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating moods; high serotonin levels can produce feelings of elation. Another is phenylethylamine, a neurotransmitter from which amphetamine is derived; phenylethylamine is nicknamed "chocolate amphetamine" and can cause feelings of excitement and attraction.[5]

Craving

Even scientists who doubt the existence of true addiction agree that chocolate craving is real.[6] Women are especially affected.[7][8]

Popular usage

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Chocoholic". Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  2. ↑ Hetherington, Marion M.; MacDiarmid, Jennifer I. (1993). "'Chocolate Addiction': A Preliminary Study of its Description and its Relationship to Problem Eating". Appetite 21 (3): 233–46. doi:10.1006/appe.1993.1042. PMID 8141595.
  3. ↑ Rogers, Peter (2003). "Food cravings and addictions – fact and fallacy". In Carr, Tanya; Descheemaeker, Koen. Nutrition and Health - Current topics - 3. Antwerpen: Garant. pp. 69–76. ISBN 978-90-441-1493-5.
  4. ↑ Miller, Michael Craig (February 14, 2013). "Can you become addicted to chocolate?". Harvard Health Blog. Harvard University. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  5. ↑ "Chocoholic? Now for the science part". Wales Online. April 18, 2006. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  6. ↑ Bruinsma, Kristen; Taren, Douglas L. (1999). "Chocolate: Food or Drug?". Journal of the American Dietetic Association 99 (10): 1249–56. doi:10.1016/S0002-8223(99)00307-7. PMID 10524390.
  7. ↑ Skarnulis, Leanna (February 4, 2005). "The Chocoholic's Survival Guide". WebMD. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  8. ↑ "'Chocoholism' may be a cultural phenomenon for women". CNN. 15 February 1999.
  9. ↑ Virtue, Doreen, The Chocoholic's Dream Diet, Bantam Books, 1990
  10. ↑ Wolf-Cohen, Elizabeth, Chocoholic: 50 Irresistible Indulgences: The Ultimate Cook's Collection, Southwater Pub, 2003
  11. ↑ Wharton, Susan Margaret, Spoil Yourself: A Chocoholic Guide to Melbourne, Chocolate Press, 2002
  12. ↑ Samuel, Henry (December 26, 2008). "'Chocoholic' Sarkozy gets treat with visit to cocoa capital of Brazil". The Telegraph. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  13. ↑ Khensovan, Patrick (July 3, 2011). "Dairy Queen Announces 'Triple Chocoholic Blizzard' as July’s Blizzard of the Month". Foodbeast.

External links

Look up chocoholic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.


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