Chocolates can also cure cough and stave off cancer besides acting as a mood enhancer and sex booster, giving an acceptable excuse to the chocolate lovers for biting in more.

Scientists at the Imperial College of London [Images] discovered that theobromine, one of the stimulants in chocolate, is more effective in stopping persistent coughs than codeine, the medicine most commonly used, the Independent reported on Tuesday.

The theobromine suppresses the nerve activity that causes coughing, and it is thought that the viscous quality of melted chocolate could help soothe tickly coughs.

Another revelation shows that antioxidants present in chocolates can stave off cancer. Antioxidant is something that slows down, or prevents, the oxidation of cells; oxidation produces free radicals, which damage cells and can lead to heart disease and cancer.

The flavonoids in dark chocolate (containing 70 per cent or more cocoa solids) act as antioxidants, and it contains almost five times the flavonol content of apples.

The health benefits of chocolate have not gone unnoticed by its manufacturers.

Prestat, for example, has come up with a new product called Choxi+, saying that two squares per day contain the recommended daily dose of antioxidants, while having fewer calories than an apple.

And the Japanese company Glico makes a chocolate called GABA, marketed as an anti-stress product.