/oss/taxonomy/term/869/all en /oss/article/history/valentines-day-time-smell-roses <p>There are more red roses sold on Valentine’s Day than on any other day of the year. They hold a special place among flowers, particularly because of their associations with romance. In Greek mythology, Aphrodite, The Goddess of Love, fell in love with the mortal shepherd Adonis. When he was gored by a wild boar, she rushed to his aid but as she brushed by a wild rose bush her skin was pierced by its thorns. Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her blood and dripped on the rose bush which thenceforth produced the red roses that came to symbolize love and passion.</p> Wed, 08 Feb 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9379 at /oss /oss/article/history/sweet-story-conversation-heart <p>Everybody celebrates Valentine’s Day differently. Whether you plan to pick up a bouquet of roses or wear purple in protest of the gushy holiday, there’s no wrong way to spend February 14<sup>th</sup>. Personally, I picked up some “conversation hearts” to share a sweet treat (and message) with my friends.</p> Fri, 03 Feb 2023 22:00:30 +0000 Cat Wang, B.Sc. 9378 at /oss /oss/article/nutrition/phenylethylamine-chemical-love <p>The aphrodisiac story of chocolate is an ancient one, going back all the way to 1519 and the first visit of the Spanish explorer Hernando Cortes to Mexico. Cortes found much to his liking here, in particular the Aztec princess Dona Marina. Apparently the affection was returned because the princess introduced Cortes to a drink made from the pods of a tree which the Aztecs called "chocolatl," or "food of the gods." The concoction was also laced with dried chili peppers, and as Dona Marina said, would "stimulate amorous adventures."</p> Thu, 13 Feb 2020 21:22:50 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8110 at /oss /oss/article/nutrition/counting-chocolate <p>Another Valentine’s Day has come and gone and you are probably fed up with all the stories about chocolate that the media feels obliged to trot out at this time every year. There are the usual stories about the Aztec king Montezuma enhancing his libido with chocolate and about phenylethylamine in chocolate inducing people to fall in love. Actually, the only thing chocolate makes people fall in love with is chocolate!</p> Fri, 15 Feb 2019 17:00:00 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 7587 at /oss /oss/article/nutrition-you-asked/why-shelf-life-white-chocolate-so-short-compared-dark-chocolate <p>Dark chocolate contains plenty of naturally occurring antioxidants known as polyphenols, which are absent from white chocolate. Actually, “white chocolate” isn’t really chocolate because it does not contain the cacao bean particles that are responsible for the characteristic taste of chocolate. All chocolate originates from cacao beans, which are found inside the fruit of the cacao tree. The beans are removed together with the pulp that surrounds them and are piled for a few days to allow fermentation to occur.</p> Fri, 15 Feb 2019 17:00:00 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 7590 at /oss /oss/article/food-health-news-toxicity/lead-stain-chocolate <p>Lead is nasty. Since the body has a tough time eliminating it, exposure to very small amounts can cause poisoning over the long term. Diagnosis of lead poisoning is challenging because of the variety of symptoms it can produce. Vomiting, constipation, abdominal pains, headaches, mood disorders, high blood pressure, tingling sensations and fatigue can all be the result of lead poisoning, but of course these symptoms can also have other causes. Then there are the truly worrisome issues like developmental problems, learning difficulties and eventual loss of mental faculties.</p> Sat, 14 Feb 2015 13:53:38 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2236 at /oss /oss/article/evolution-health-history-sex/it-wont-grow-hair-your-palms-or-make-you-blind <p>Valentine’s Day is here and everyone is talking about love! But for many people in our modern society, a fulfilling love life also involves an active and healthy sex life. Although we have come a long way in the liberation of our minds and bodies from cultural taboos and socially imposed restrictions on our sexual attitudes and activities, we still carry with us many remnants from the past, from times when natural aspects of sexuality were frowned upon, discouraged or even demonized. Despite our recent sexual revolution, for many of us, the topics of sex and its idiosyncrasies are still dif</p> Sun, 14 Feb 2016 05:03:01 +0000 Adam Oliver Brown PhD 2319 at /oss