Harvard University recently conducted a study that indicated men eating chocolate lived almost one year longer than those who did not eat chocolate. This may have some link to the fact that chocolate has some of the same cholesterol-reducing beneficial chemicals that are found in red wine. For people concerned about caffeine, one once of milk chocolate contains the same amount of caffeine as a cup of decaffeinated coffee. This amount is negligible for most people. Chocolates with centers have a different nutritional breakdown.
Some people believe the craving for chocolate is determined by brain chemistry.
Studies indicate chocolate does contain mood-altering chemicals called cannabinoids. But you have to eat 27 pounds of chocolate at one sitting to have any pharmocological effect. The melting point of chocolate is 108 degrees. The average American consumes 11.7 pounds of chocolate in a year. But Americans don't lead the pack when it comes to chocolate consumption.