How many times have you bitten into a piece of chocolate and found yourself moaning from the sheer pleasure of it? How often have you joked about why chocolate is as good as or better than sex? Believe it or not, there is a scientific link between chocolate and sexual arousal.

Although chocolate?s reputation as an aphrodisiac originated in South America over one thousand five hundred years ago, it is only more recently that there is scientific proof as to why it has maintained this reputation.

In 2004, researchers at a hospital in Milan, Italy, questioned nearly two hundred women about their consumption of chocolate and their feelings of sexual fulfillment.

The results are impressive. Women who consumed chocolate daily reported a higher degree of sexual satisfaction.

The study, which was funded by a university for academic purposes, and not by a chocolate company, indicated that even women who normally had a lower libido reported an increase in their sex drive after consuming chocolate.

From a scientific standpoint, chocolate contains both Serotonin and Phenylethylamine, which are mood-lifting hormones found naturally in the human brain.

When we consume chocolate, we increase our normal levels of both, which leads to that feeling of excitement, as well as an increased level of energy. So although chocolate may or may not be a true aphrodisiac, it certainly does have some aphrodisiac properties. After all, it makes us feel good all over, much like being in love!

Other recent research suggests that women are more susceptible to the effects of Serotonin and Phenylethylamine than men. The famous lover, Casanova is said to have consumed very large quantities of chocolate in an attempt to better attract the ladies.

Aphrodisiac or not, if you want to ensure a loved one?s everlasting devotion a gift of chocolate is the way to do it.

Why not use Valentine's Day as a perfect excuse to combine chocolate and the sheer pleasure it brings with consumption and share it with someone really special? There is no better excuse than to use this day to indulge in the world?s favourite pastime.

The secrets of romance are filled with adventure and discovery in the romance collection available from The Chocolate Club.

Indulge in each of these gorgeous dark chocolates with crisp praline centres. Each chocolate is carefully hand wrapped in 'fire red' foil and awaiting your next move of unearthing each chocolate from its delicate wrapping with that someone special.

Unearth the passion by sending this to your someone special; you?ll fall in love with the price of the delectable treat at only R149 (excl shipping).

Visit: www.thechocolateclub.co.za for more information