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He tells me it’s psychological.

“It’s not true!” I counter. “It’s proven! Women need chocolate!”

My husband shakes his head, unable to understand how Chocolate just transformed me from an unstable shattered mess into a perfectly content and rationale human being. “It’s all in your head,” he quips back, smug and certain of himself.

I think he’s just jealous. I mean, the fact that Chocolate can pull me out of a tearful state faster than he can? Come on, that’s got to bother any problem-fixing husband.

“Nu-uh,” I insist. “It’s proven!” (Racking my brain. Trying desperately to remember exactly what and where I read that chocolate really does help women, especially at “that time of the month.”)

“Prove it,” he replies, eyebrow raised, twinkle in eye, smile on lips. The challenge is on.

But my memory remains blank, and he remains smug. I have nothing—so I cross my heart, fill my mouth and vow to arm myself with the facts so that next time (and there is always a next time when it comes to chocolate), I have all the justification I need.

As I begin my research on the all-knowing Internet, Google pulls me in a million different directions, and I’m not sure which way to turn or which link to click. But after a good cup of cocoa, a few hours of determination and a period of enlightenment, my proof is in place. Here is all you need to know for the next time chocolate fixes your problem and your man shakes his head:

1. It’s Nutritious. When “that time of the month” rolls around, our need for vitamins, nutrients and calories increases. Chocolate is loaded with nutrients and provides a strong dose of energy by upping our calorie count. So, eating chocolate is all about taking care of our nutritional needs. Who ever said chocolate wasn’t healthy?

2. It’s Biological. Some researchers believe that PMS, depression and anxiety are related to a lack of serotonin and that chocolate may have a biological basis in raising serotonin levels and eliminating the melancholy. I always hated biology in school, but now—I think I am starting to really like it.

3. It’s Chemical. Chocolate contains over three hundred known chemicals. Although many of these chemicals are found in other foods, it may be chocolate’s unique combination that gives it an edge. Phenylethylamine is the very same chemical our brain releases when we fall in love or make love (providing reason for the truth that some women prefer chocolate to sex). Chocolate also excites our taste buds, releasing endorphins—the body's feel-good chemical. Put the two together and you and I have a knockout combination!

4. It’s Stimulating. Chocolate contains two stimulants: theobromine and caffeine. Though the amounts are small, they could possibly contribute to chocolate's mood-elevating effects while also providing a small burst of energy. Sounds good to me.

5. It’s Hormonal. Shortly before Aunt Flow comes to visit, our progesterone is at its peak. This hormone is thought to induce fat storage, causing the level of fat in our blood to drop and perhaps prompting a craving for fat. And chocolate—sadly (happily?) enough—is indeed high in fat.

6. It’s Scientific. Chocolate delivers a unique combination of aroma, taste and texture. With a melting point just below body temperature, cocoa butter creates a perfect melt-in-your-mouth sensation. So it just outright tastes amazing.

7. It’s Cultural. In North America, it is very common for women to receive chocolates as a romantic gift, creating a link between chocolate and love while also providing an escape from a meat-and-potatoes (or salad-and-tofu) life. And cultural studies have shown that we crave chocolate much more than women of other cultures do. Perhaps we just need to spread the news…

There you have it. I tried to find a conclusive answer, but it seems the opinions differ greatly, and no one is decidedly positive as to exactly what’s going on. Some researchers attribute chocolate’s lure to only one of the seven points above; some believe it’s due to a combination of its sensory qualities, nutrient and chemical composition, cultural values and our hormonal cycles; and some—well—let’s just say they remain baffled regarding the creamy confection. I mean, who really knows?

So, my insatiable chocolate cravings could be chemical, cultural, psychological—or all of the above. I was determined to produce concrete evidence that it definitely is not psychological as my husband believes it is, and I have failed in that attempt. However, my brief period of enlightenment gave me my real answer, my real argument: I have personally decided that solid scientific proof doesn’t really matter. Even if all the researchers and scientists in the world are confused when it comes to the power of chocolate, I am absolutely certain of one thing: for me, chocolate works. Even if it is all in my head, who cares? Either I eat chocolate and become happier, or I don’t and I remain a mess. Which would he rather? Case closed.