Researchers from the University of Malaysia found that inhaling the aroma of 90% dark chocolate between sets noticeably increases endurance during workouts. The study showed that this smell tricks appetite, creating a false feeling of fullness in athletes, allowing them to perform more repetitions. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
"We know that olfaction is closely linked to the brain's neural networks responsible for appetite and emotions, but surprisingly, no study has examined the three-way interaction between olfaction, appetite, and actual strength training ability," said study author Dr. Mohamed Nashrudin.
The sample included 23 healthy, moderately trained men aged 20 to 25. They were divided into groups and given one of the scent samples: liquid dark chocolate containing 90% cocoa or liquid milk chocolate containing 60% cocoa. The final control group received only water.
Participants did not eat for 10 hours before performing leg extension strength exercises.
Before training, all men had their feelings of hunger, fullness, desire to eat, and plans for a meal in the near future measured. Surveys were also conducted between sets and scent inhalations.
The experiment showed that both types of chocolate had clear but different effects. Specifically, inhaling the aroma of dark chocolate led participants to report less hunger, reduced desire to eat, and even a feeling of fullness before physical exertion.
Those who inhaled the smell of milk chocolate reported higher pleasantness of the smell compared to dark chocolate samples, but no changes in hunger or appetite were observed.
Furthermore, the smell of chocolate affected not only appetite-related indicators but also performance.
"Inhaling the smell of 90% dark chocolate increased the number of leg extension repetitions by about 18, while the smell of 60% milk chocolate increased it by about nine compared to the water control group," said Nashrudin.
The study authors noted that their claims are tentative, as blood hormone levels or neural connections were not measured.
"We do not believe that chocolate is something completely unique. In theory, other products closely associated with satiety may show similar effects," concluded Nashrudin.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that bodybuilding champion Inna Makarenko (Sindeleeva) believes that if a person constantly looks for reasons not to exercise, the issue is not a lack of time but internal negotiations.