Eating chocolate works like exercise

Research by Wayne State University scientists shows that eating dark chocolate for muscle strengthening is similar to exercise, the Daily Mail said.

>>>Dark chocolate helps restore liver function
>>> A small piece of chocolate helps repel stroke

Dark chocolate contains natural epicatechin, which enhances muscle growth, similar to the effects of physical activity, such as jogging. In addition, eating chocolate in combination with regular exercise helps your muscles become 50% stronger than just exercising.

Chocolate works to strengthen muscles like exercise.

Scientists from Wayne State University conducted research on mice. Middle-aged mice are divided into 3 groups. The first group was fed a type of epicatechin extracted from cocoa beans twice a day and for 15 days. The second group is given 30 minutes of exercise a day. The last group did not exercise nor was it given epicatechin.

As a result, the team found that epicatechin works to strengthen muscles, similar to physical activities like running or cycling. Scientists hope epicatechin also works similarly on humans, helping to treat muscle aging in middle age.

Scientists found that the epicatechin compound helps mice to produce more mitochondria - providing energy for cells in the body - and increasing the number of capillary tubes that carry oxygen to the muscles.

Dr Moh Malek, head of the study, said: 'Physical activity such as running or cycling helps increase mitochondria in muscle cells. Our research has found that epicatechin also has the same effect - especially in the heart and skeletal muscles'.