10 unnecessary ridiculous facts about chocolate

The creamy taste. The cocoa explosion. Little fireworks going off in your head when you take a bite. Whether it's a Tony's bar, the chocolate in the hotel room, or that fingerlicking warm dessert brownie: Chocolate. Is. The. Bomb.

Did you know this?

1. Chocolate contains phenylethylamine. And because of this substance, your brain produces endorphins that make you feel happy and joyful. So does chocolate make you happy? YES.

2. If you think you're doing ‘well’ by choosing sugar-free chocolate, the stuff isn't much healthier. There's actually more fat in it to maintain the flavor. We always get fooled by the ‘light’ variants, right?

3. Americans consume no less than half of the annual chocolate production. In the USA, they particularly enjoy bars like Mars and Snickers.

4. But our Flemish friends also enjoy it. Did you know that the most chocolate is sold at Brussels airport? Over 80,000 kilos of chocolate are sold there every year. Wow.

5. If you've always wondered how long you can roughly keep chocolate: there's a very simple answer. Anything with a soft filling inside lasts a maximum of three weeks, while all ‘normal’ bars can be safely stored in the cupboard for half a year.

6. Chocolate (especially the dark variety) does not cause pimples. That's a myth. Now you know that too.

7. Chocolate led to the invention of the microwave. I kid you not. Let me explain. Percy Spence was a researcher who worked for the U.S. Army. One day, he was near a large machine that emitted microwaves and noticed that the chocolate bar in his pocket melted spontaneously. The penny dropped: those microwaves could easily and quickly heat food. Based on this principle, Spence built the first microwave. Ahaaaaaa.

8. Just one piece of chocolate can give your body enough energy to run 150 meters.

9. A study published in the journal Physiology and Behavior found that a piece of dark chocolate can help you see better in low-light conditions.

10. Although many people don't believe this, chocolate can help with weight loss due to its antioxidant content and its ability to make you feel fuller. Note: at least 65 percent cocoa (preferably more) and a maximum of 20 grams per day.

Ugh. And now I feel like...

A carrot.
Just kidding.