Chocolate is always be a favorite food of all ages. Besides it tastes delicious, chocolate also has a good benefit for the body. Recently another benefit of black chocolate has been found. A study says that eating black chocolate has health benefits equal to those who perform sports activities.
Dr. Moh Malek, Wyne State University researcher who focuses on the study of mitochondria, the energy generation sources that produce energy in cells, found a plant compound found in cocoa or chocolate, called epicatechin, which can stimulate the same muscle response to exercise.
"Mitochondria produce the energy used by cells in the body. The more mitochondria means the more energy is produced, and the more work you can do," said Dr. Malek.
This study uses epicatechin found in cocoa, given to mice twice a day for 15 days. At the same time, other mice underwent treadmill exercise for 30 minutes per day. Researchers discovered that mice who ate the epicatechin has the same performance as mice that trained on a treadmill.
The researchers hope the study can be an alternative to counter muscle loss due to age. "It appears that epicatechin treatment combined with exercise can be a means to offset the aging of muscles," adds Dr. Malek.
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