Dark-chocolate aroma boosts repetitions in fasted workouts, study finds
A small study of 23 fasted men found that sniffing a dark chocolate scent before leg extensions increased repetitions by about 18 compared with a neutral water scent, with milk chocolate yielding about 9 more reps. The effort rating did not change, suggesting a brain-driven cue rather than muscular changes; the study notes limitations including a small, all-male sample and focus on a single exercise.
