(NaturalPath) According to a study out of Kingston University, the positive effects on cardiovascular health aren’t the only benefits of eating dark chocolate, but that this tasty treat can also help boost athletic performance. Dark chocolate seems to provide the same benefits as beetroot juice, which the head researcher notes, “is rich in nitrates, which are converted to nitric oxide in the body. This dilates blood vessels and reduces oxygen consumption – allowing athletes to go further for longer.”
The team from the British University wanted to see if the dark chocolate could provide the same burst. This burst could be provided through a substance called epicatechin – a type of flavanol found in the cacao bean, that also increases nitric oxide production in the body.
This hypothesis was tested on nine amateur cyclists. One group replaced an usual snack with dark chocolate while the control group ate white chocolate. This lasted for a fortnight then after measuring the athletes, they switched what their snacks included.
The researcher noted that, “We found that people could effectively exercise for longer after eating dark chocolate – something that’s not been established before in this way.”
Razi Berry, Founder and Publisher of Naturopathic Doctor News & Review (ndnr.com) and NaturalPath (thenatpath.com), has spent the last decade as a natural medicine advocate and marketing whiz. She has galvanized and supported the naturopathic community, bringing a higher quality of healthcare to millions of North Americans through her publications. A self-proclaimed health-food junkie and mother of two; she loves all things nature, is obsessed with organic gardening, growing fruit trees (not easy in Phoenix), laughing until she snorts, and homeschooling. She is a little bit crunchy and yes, that is her real name.