5 reasons why chocolate is the perfect gift for a girlfriend

Then you''ve come to the right place, because here''s a simple but effective tip - give her chocolate!

Is chocolate really "women''s food"?

It''s a common belief, but it''s not just a made-up one. Women prefer chocolate to men, according to a study which found that more than 30% of women daydream about chocolate daily, compared to a much lower 11% of men. Some researchers argue that this is because chocolate releases dopamine in the female brain, which is responsible for a pleasant mood. Women are also said to be more emotionally attached to food, especially chocolate - so it''s sure to make a great gift for the girl who stole your heart.

Health benefits

Another reason in favour of chocolate is health. A few years ago, a study was carried out in Sweden, looking at 33,000 women aged between 49 and 83 who had never had cancer, diabetes, heart disease or a stroke. They found that women who consumed the most chocolate were 20% less likely to have a stroke. This is because the cocoa in chocolate contains flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties and can prevent the build-up of bad cholesterol, which is one of the culprits in cardiovascular disease, including stroke. Chocolate is also thought to lower blood pressure and insulin resistance and protect against blood clots.

They found that women who consumed the most chocolate were 20% less likely to have a stroke.

Of course, chocolate only has medicinal properties if it is of good quality and consumed in moderation. Many chocolate products contain additional ingredients that have no real value and may even be harmful. The most health-promoting chocolate is good quality dark chocolate, which contains only cocoa mass and cocoa butter and a very low sugar content.

Chocolate has a rich history

Chocolate was used as currency by the Aztecs and Mayans, and the upper classes and warriors drank drinks called xocolatl, made from cocoa, chilli, spices and water. Cocoa has also been known in the past as an extremely popular medicine, used to treat coughs and to combat hair loss, among other things. Its many benefits were soon recognised by Christopher Columbus, who was the first to bring it to Europe. Telling your girlfriend all this interesting information will make her chocolate all the sweeter the next time you sweeten it.

Suitable for all occasions and everyone

Whatever the occasion, chocolate is always an appropriate and desirable gift. And there are so many varieties of chocolate and chocolate products available nowadays, with different additives, that there is sure to be something for everyone. Whether it''s milk, white or dark chocolate, coffee-flavoured, fruit-flavoured, chilli-flavoured or salt-flavoured... As long as you know what your loved one likes best, a chocolate gift is sure to be a hit.