Chocolate and Exercise, Huh?

Researchers at the UC San Diego have discovered a possible link between eating chocolate and improved exercise capacity. A flavonol in dark chocolate, called epicatechin, was fed to mice in liquid form in a study of oxidative capacity and fatigue resistance in mouse muscle. Check out the study at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21788351

The researchers found that the mice fed epicatechin instead of plain water had increased exercise endurance capacity.

So, should you eat a candy bar prior to your next long run? Sadly, no. The amount of epicatechin fed to the mice in the study equates to a sixth of an ounce of dark chocolate or one half of one square of one chocolate bar. Bummer.

But there is good news about dark chocolate overall. It can be part of a healthy intake. People who regularly eat small amounts of dark chocolate have lower rates of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. So eat some dark chocolate, exercise regularly and go for balance in your life!