A new study suggests that simply smelling dark chocolate before and during exercise may help improve workout performance. Researchers found that healthy men who sniffed a 90% dark chocolate aroma while fasting completed significantly more leg extension repetitions than those exposed to milk chocolate or no scent. The dark chocolate scent also reduced feelings of hunger and increased fullness without making the workout feel more difficult. While the findings are intriguing, the study was small and only included young men, so more research is needed to determine whether the same effects occur in women, older adults, or with other types of exercise.
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