The Effect of Dark Chocolate Scent on Exercise Performance Examined

Research conducted by the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Sciences at the University of Malaysia revealed that smelling dark chocolate before exercise can affect physical performance and the sensation of hunger.

The study, carried out at the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Sciences at the University of Malaysia, involved 23 healthy men who engaged in regular weight training. After fasting for at least 10 hours, participants were exposed to dark chocolate containing 90 percent cocoa, milk chocolate, and odorless control samples on different days. Subsequently, the number of repetitions completed by the participants performing weight exercises on a leg extension machine was compared. It was determined that those who smelled dark chocolate performed an average of 18 more repetitions compared to the control group, while those who smelled milk chocolate performed 9 more repetitions. Moreover, no significant difference was observed in the participants' evaluations of how challenging they found the exercise.

Participants exposed to the scent of dark chocolate reported feeling less hungry and more full. Although the scent of milk chocolate was found to be more pleasant, it did not create the same level of change in the sensation of hunger. Researchers consider that food odors can influence appetite perception and performance during exercise by creating an expectation of eating in the brain. However, the results of the study, which was conducted with only 23 male participants and on an empty stomach, need to be verified by broader studies.