Can chocolate make you more physically fit? I’m going to answer that in a moment. But first, I have a confession to make.
I hate to exercise. I do it because I have to. My wife has to drag me out of the house to get me moving.
That’s why I was so excited to see this latest study. The study found that dark chocolate makes exercise easier. And it really does work!
But you have to eat the chocolate at the right time for it to be effective.
This study found that you have to eat the chocolate right before you exercise.
When you do, you can exercise faster and longer. Plus, it has a dramatic impact on your overall health.
This study found that those eating the dark chocolate before exercise had better insulin and glucose levels, better antioxidant blood status, and better oxidative stress response. All of these make it easier to tolerate exercise.
But another study found that it does even more. Eating chocolate before you exercise also gives you better cholesterol levels, lower triglycerides, and significantly more protein in your blood, which is great for your muscles.
So the answer to the question I asked is yes! Chocolate can help you get in better shape faster.
How Much Should You Eat?
The first study used 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of dark chocolate. But the second group used only 20 grams (0.8 ounces). And they basically saw the same results.
Dark chocolate still has sugar. But the less sugar it has, the more you can eat. So here’s what I suggest:
Eat the highest percentage dark chocolate you enjoy. Eat at least 20 grams, but no more than 100 grams of dark chocolate, and then go exercise.
At the very least, you have a healthy and tasty incentive to get up and get moving. But you’ll be delighted with the changes your body experiences.