Dark Chocolate Mitigates Premenstrual Performance Impairments and Muscle Soreness in Female CrossFit() Athletes: Evidence from a Menstrual-Phase-Specific Trial

Nutrients and Female Athletic Performance

Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle can affect female athletes’ physical performance, muscle function, and mental processing, especially before their period. This study looked at how dark chocolate (DC) could help.

What is Dark Chocolate Good For?

Dark chocolate is rich in beneficial compounds like flavonoids and magnesium. It may help reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and protect brain function.

Study Overview

Fifteen trained female CrossFit athletes participated in a study where they consumed either 30 grams of dark chocolate or a placebo for three days during different phases of their menstrual cycle. They were tested on their physical and mental performance afterward.

Key Findings

Dark chocolate improved physical performance across all menstrual phases, especially during the premenstrual phase.
Reaction times were faster during the premenstrual phase after consuming dark chocolate.
Muscle soreness was less severe in the luteal phase after consuming dark chocolate compared to the control and placebo groups.

Practical Healthcare Solutions

Based on the study, dark chocolate may be a simple and effective way for female athletes to enhance performance and reduce muscle soreness during sensitive hormonal phases.

Goals for Clinics and Patients

1. Encourage the use of dark chocolate as a dietary supplement for female athletes.

2. Monitor performance and recovery outcomes to assess effectiveness.

Implementing Solutions

Start with a small pilot program to track the effects of dark chocolate on performance and recovery in female athletes, using AI tools to analyze the data.