Viewed as an aphrodisiac for centuries, the world is passionate about chocolate, especially Europeans. The United Kingdom reportedly devours the most chocolate per person. The average Swiss eats more than 21 pounds of chocolate a year. Belgians and Germans consume about 16 pounds a year. Surprisingly, the average American's habit weighs in at only 11.5 pounds of the sugary candy each year.
Many people are self-described chocoholics.
It's a sweet indulgence we hate to love. Some feel it's a sin they willingly partake in. Others avoid it at all costs. Some swear chocolate will kill you, blaming it for a host of maladies ranging from migraines and acne to coronary problems and a disorder known as fibrocystic breast disease. An article on Creation Ministries' Web site points out that 45 percent of a chocolate bar is sugar, and the rest is fat.