- A small study indicates that sniffing chocolate, especially dark varieties, could unexpectedly boost gym performance.
- Researchers observed that the aroma of dark chocolate (90 per cent cocoa) helped participants complete more leg extensions while simultaneously curbing hunger.
- The study involved 23 healthy men who sniffed liquified dark chocolate, milk chocolate (60 per cent cocoa), or a control water sample before and during leg extension exercises.
- Sniffing 90 per cent dark chocolate added approximately 18 repetitions to participants' leg extensions, and 60 per cent milk chocolate added about nine repetitions, without increasing their perceived exertion.
- Experts suggest that familiar and appealing food scents trigger a psychological shift in appetite, with dark chocolate acting as a cue for fullness and milk chocolate as a hedonic reward.
IN FULL
Why sniffing dark chocolate will help you lift heavier weights in the gym
