New Study Suggests Postmenopausal Women Can Boost Their Metabolism With... Dark Chocolate?
Curious if dark chocolate can actually boost your metabolism? New research suggests it might!
When I first stumbled across emerging research suggesting dark chocolate could boost metabolism in postmenopausal women, I’ll admit: I was skeptical. But as I thumbed through the research, it seemed as though chocolate really could be more than just a guilty pleasure.
Here’s how:
The Chocolate Study, Explained
The study, published in the International Journal of Exercise Science, gave postmenopausal women either 20 grams of 72% dark chocolate or white chocolate for 30 days to see what happened to their metabolism. The researchers discovered that:
- Women who ate dark chocolate increased their resting metabolic rate by 3.2% (burning about 39 more calories per day at rest).
- Women who ate white chocolate saw no change in their metabolism.
But…why the difference? Unlike white chocolate, dark chocolate contains a compound called epicatechin. Lab studies have found that epicatechin supports mitochondrial function, which is crucial for energy production and muscle performance, particularly in cardiac and skeletal muscle!
The Catch
Spoiler alert—this doesn’t mean we should be eating dark chocolate with abandon! There are a few factors to consider:
For starters, that 3.2% metabolic boost translates to just 39 extra calories burned per day—roughly the same as a five-minute stroll. It’s measurable (and not nothing!) but unlikely to move the needle on weight loss.
There’s also the age actor. In earlier similar studies, younger women saw a 9.6% increase in metabolic rate. The fact that postmenopausal women saw less than half that benefit suggests our bodies may become less responsive to these compounds as we age.
Lastly? This research is brand new (it was published just this past March!) so we’re still learning how exactly all this works in the body.
The Science is Sweet
That said, a square (or two) of high-cocoa dark chocolate? Not a bad idea. Beyond the modest metabolic bump, it can have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, and blood pressure-lowering effects.
Some studies even suggest dark chocolate can improve cholesterol profiles, better blood sugar control, and boost aerobic capacity. If it replaces a more processed sweet treat in your day, that’s even better!
