Great news for chocolate enthusiasts: Just five grams of dark chocolate daily can enhance sports performance.
Scientists from the University of California published a study in The Journal of Physiology exploring the effects of chocolate on athletic ability. In 2020, they tested this on mice using a running protocol.
On the Treadmill
The setup was straightforward: older, sedentary mice. One group received cocoa's key flavonoid, epicatechin; the other a placebo. Both trained daily on treadmills to rebuild fitness.
The epicatechin group improved markedly within days, lasting twice as long on the treadmill than the placebo mice.
The Optimal Dose
Before reaching for a bar, note the researchers' advice: About five grams daily—half a square—suffices for benefits. Larger amounts diminish the effect.
