RAISE THE BAR

Why regular small treats beat overly restrictive dieting

People who eat chocolate several times a week are slimmer than those who only eat it very occasionally, even if the chocolate in question is high in calories from sugar and fat. That's according to research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, which also took other factors, such as daily activity levels, into account. It's thought that having a little of what you fancy isn't just good for you mentally: it may also help you to continue to burn fat, by spiking levels of the hormone leptin. This tells your brain you're getting enough energy, so it continues to release fat from cells to burn as fuel.

DID YOU KNOW?

A bowl of pre-workout porridge could reduce muscle soreness. That's according to a study published in Antioxidants, which found the unique antioxidants present in oatmeal limit the oxidative stress caused by intense exercise.

Five golden rules of pre-workout nutrition