“Chocolate is a divine, celestial drink, the sweat of the stars, the vital seed, divine nectar, the drink of the gods, panacea and universal medicine.”

–Geronimo Piperni, quoted by Antonio Lavedán (Spanish army surgeon, 1796)

No one can argue that chocolate is the food of the gods—literally. The Latin name for the cocoa tree is Theobroma Cacao, which translates to “Food of the Gods.” Indeed, chocolate has a long and storied history associated with royalty and the divine, and for good reason: chocolate has so many positive benefits, it may very well be the universal medicine for all ills!

The Food of Royalty

The Aztecs were the first to discover chocolate’s amazing properties. They believed that anyone who consumed cocoa beans would be imbued with spiritual wisdom and vigor. Emperor Montezuma famously loved the chocolate drink favored by the Aztecs, claiming that “A cup of this precious drink permits a man to walk for a whole day without food.” That’s why the emperor drank fifty cups of chocolate a day!

In the 16^th Century, chocolate was brought to Spain, where the royalty and aristocracy enjoyed it for breakfast in bed. Talk about luxury! And by 1700, London was filled with chocolate houses frequented by the upper class.

Divine Properties

There’s a reason chocolate has a long history of being revered; its properties may well be considered divine.

• Chocolate contains both dopamine and serotonin, natural painkillers that promote feelings of pleasure.

• The smell of chocolate alone is enough to make you feel good! It reduces theta activity in the brain, which helps you to relax.

• Did you know that chocolate is akin to love? It’s true: chocolate contains the chemical phenylethylamine, which is the same chemical released in the body when you fall in love.

Delicious, divine, heavenly! Eat chocolate, cure all your ills, and feel like royalty. Better yet, share an amazing gift of chocolate with someone special in your life.