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We already know that there are many benefits to eating dark chocolate (In moderation of course), Such as improved moods and cardiovascular health, but now A. A new study reveals that it can help give you a boost during exercise.
Dark chocolate can improve your workout
A study conducted by researchers at Kingston University in London looked at the benefits of chocolate candy to see if it could improve fitness performance.
Amateur cyclists were divided into two groups. The first group was asked to replace their regular daily snacks with 40 grams of dark chocolate. As you can see, dark chocolate is known to be rich in flavanols (found in Cocoa beans) which are believed to increase Production of nitric oxide in the body.
Others were asked to snack on white chocolate.
The The athletes were then asked to participate in a series of cycling exercise tests to measure their performance, as well as monitor their oxygen consumption levels and heart rates.
After a break of seven days, the groups then switched the chocolates they had eaten, and tested again.
The study found that riders who ate a dark chocolate snack used less oxygen when cycling at a moderate pace and also covered more distance during pilot tests.
Experts believe that dark chocolate may have similar benefits to beetroot juice.
“Beetroot juice is rich in nitrates that turn into nitric oxide in the body. This widens blood vessels and reduces oxygen consumption – allowing athletes to go ahead for longer,” Research student Rishikesh Kankeesh Patil said in the report, which was published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.
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Both dark chocolate and beetroot juice are known to increase nitric oxide, which is the main mechanism we think is behind these results.
“We found that people could exercise effectively for longer after eating dark chocolate – something that had not been previously created in this way.”
“We want to see if the performance boost is a short-term effect – you eat a bar and within a day you work – or whether it takes a little longer, which is what initial research has shown.
“We are also looking for the optimum level of flavanols. At the moment, there is not much consistency in the levels of flavanols in commercially available chocolate.
“Once we find the optimal dose and duration of the chocolate, we will compare its effects with the effects of beetroot juice, and also test the effect of combining consumption of both, as they result in an increase in nitric oxide in slightly different ways.”
Here you are! Dark chocolate helps you exercise!
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