As St. Valentine sharpens his arrows, lovers may find themselves in a quandary as to what to get their “it’s complicated” bene-friends. Last minute Romeos and Juliets can always depend on the old favorite -chocolate.

“I think (chocolate) is a really normal Valentine’s Day present … it’s traditional,” said Lindsey Venable, a senior from Jackson County.

Chocolate contains phenylethylamine, a chemical that gives the food its aphrodisiac status.

But those looking for a surefire way to put their lovers in an amorous mood may want to invest in something other than a heart-shaped box.

The chemical is quickly metabolized by the body, preventing much of the chemical from reaching the brain.

“If chocolate really is an aphrodisiac, that’s the chemical causing it,” said Robert Shewfelt, a professor of food science and technology at the University.

“Food scientists tend not to believe in aphrodisiacs – that’s more of a North Campus thing.”

Chocolate has other benefits besides making loved ones happy.

Chocolate contains flavinoids, which help produce antioxidants in the body, according to Wikipedia.

“Flavinoids regenerate vitamin C, which regenerates vitamin E, which is a true antioxidant in the body,” said Shewfelt.

Some types of chocolate contain more of these properties than others.

“If you’re going to believe chocolate is a health food, basically the darker the chocolate and the higher percent the cacao, the healthier it would be,” Shewfelt said.

Cacao is the actual chocolate plant, and chocolate bars are often marked with percentages of cacao liquor, which is the cacao powder and butter combined. Milk chocolate can be less than 20 percent cacao, while darker chocolates can go up to 90 percent.

With its high fat and calorie content, chocolate may not be the wisest place to find antioxidants.

“Chocolate is about 55 percent fat, and over a third of that fat is saturated fat,” said Shewfelt. “I consider chocolate to be a fine part of a healthy diet, but I have trouble believing it is a health food.”

Chocolate contains more than 1,200 chemical compounds, and some of these chemicals stimulate dopamine and serotonin, increasing feelings of pleasure or having a calming effect. Others may
work in concert with hormones, which is why women may be more attracted to chocolate than men, Shewfelt said.

“As a guy, I sure don’t want chocolate for Valentine’s Day,” said Zach Wood, a senior from Marietta. “Valentine’s day is not big for guys … Give him a pair of boxers or something.”