The consumption of sugar and carbohydrate rich food can produce – and this is scientifically proven – a feeling of satisfaction and all round well-being. Serotonin is responsible for this. Serotinin is a chemical messenger that is strongly produced in the brain after the consumption of sugar and carbohydrates.

It is made from the amino acid, tryptophan. However, this must first be transported over the blood-brain barrier into the brain. Different amino acids compete with each other to cross this barrier, which is where sugar’s effect comes into play. After the consumption of sugar and carbohydrates, blood glucose levels starkly rise. The body reacts to this by releasing the hormone, insulin, whereby glucose is transported by the blood into cells.

A further effect of insulin is the absorption of certain amino acids into tissue. Because tryptophan is not one of these amino acids, the balance is shifted in its favour. It is now absorbed in higher amounts into the brain, where it is converted into serotonin. An increase in serotonin levels especially occurs with the consumption of foods that contain little protein, like dark chocolate. With each piece of chocolate we, therefore, intuitively provide ourselves with a little mood-lightener.