Study Finds Chocolate Scent Before Weightlifting Adds Repetitions

A peer-reviewed study published in Frontiers in Physiology found that briefly inhaling the scent of dark chocolate before and between weightlifting sets increased the number of repetitions participants could complete. The trial included 23 men averaging 23 years old who had fasted for at least 10 hours.

Participants inhaled chocolate scent from a jar for 30 seconds between sets of leg extensions performed at 80 percent of their maximum weight.

Men who smelled a 90 percent cocoa dark chocolate scent completed about 18 more leg extensions than those using a placebo. Those who smelled a 60 percent cocoa milk chocolate scent added about 9 repetitions. Smelling dark chocolate also reduced reported hunger and increased feelings of fullness before exercise.

Milk chocolate scent showed no effect on appetite measures. The study’s senior author stated that the increase in repetitions occurred without participants reporting greater effort. The authors noted that other food odors may produce similar effects but said chocolate is widely recognized and appealing.