When the stress hormone Cortisol is released, it triggers a complex interaction of brain chemicals. As a result, levels of the "feel-good" brain chemical serotonin drop, producing a craving for carbohydrates. (You may experience similar food cravings right before your period starts. The physical reason is the same—low-serotonin levels in the brain—but rather than stress hormones causing the dip, it's lowered estrogen levels.)
Often, we satisfy these cravings with sweet, high-calorie foods— like chocolate. Researchers speculate that we crave these foods because fat and sugar stimulate the brain to release morphine-like endorphins—the same brain chemical that makes you feci calm after vigorous exercise.
Plus sugar triggers a pleasurable serotonin boost. Chocolate also contains several stimulants as well as other drug-like compounds that can affect mood. Some scientists, however, are skeptical of chocolate's much ballyhooed mood-altering powers and remind us that cheddar cheese, salami and pickled herring contain even more of these drug-like "magic ingredients." But few of us are dying for a slice of salami.
There's nothing wrong with satisfying a food craving with a creamy sweet like chocolate. In fact, if you deny your cravings, you're likely to add to your stress and end up bingeing later. The key is moderation. It doesn't take a whole bag of peanut M & M's to kill the craving. Have a small piece of chocolate rather than an entire chocolate bar. And there is some potential good news about chocolate: Even though it is high in saturated fat, the particular type of saturated fat (stearic acid) it contains does not raise cholesterol levels.
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