Scientists found that a compound in the chocolate can mimic the effects of exercise, stimulating the same muscle response in terms of being able to exercise for longer.
Although the research was carried out in mice, it is thought the findings could translate to humans.
It has long been known that a small amount of cocoa-rich dark chocolate can be good for you because of its high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Researchers have previously proved that it is packed with more healthy plant compounds and antioxidants gram-for-gram than fruit juice and provides far more nutritional goodness than had been thought.
High-quality dark chocolate is made with between 64 and 85 per cent cocoa solids, which retain flavonoids, which have been linked to disease protection.
This latest research adds to previous studies hailing the benefits of one specific flavonoid found in unrefined cocoa called epicatechin. It has already been shown that it could help combat strokes, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes.
It has long been known that a small amount of cocoa-rich dark chocolate can be good for you
Now Dr Moh Malek at Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, says the compound can also mimic the effects of exercise.
He found it appeared to stimulate the same muscle response as exercise. The improvements in muscle performance were found to be associated with increases in mitochondria – the “powerhouses” of cells.
Dr Malek said: “Aerobic exercise, such as running or cycling, is known to increase the number of mitochondria in muscle cells.
“Our study has found that epicatechin seems to bring about the same response.”
Could this be extrapolated to humans? “It is something we hope to identify in future studies,” said Dr Malek, whose findings are published in The Journal of Physiology.