Cocoa May Offset Stress Effects from Fatty Foods

New research suggests that drinking cocoa rich in flavanols could help protect your body from the adverse effects of fatty meals during stressful times. Experts have long known that stress can influence food choices, often leading people to indulge in high-fat comfort foods. This habit, however, can negatively impact cardiovascular health.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Birmingham, explored whether flavanol-rich cocoa could mitigate some of these effects. Flavanols, compounds found in foods like apples, tea, and cocoa, are known to Support blood pressure regulation and vascular health.

Dr. Catarina Rendeiro, the study’s lead author, explained, “We know that when people are stressed, they tend to gravitate towards high-fat foods… In this study, we wanted to see if adding a high-flavanol food to the fatty meal would alleviate the negative impact of stress in the body.”

In the study, 23 participants consumed a high-fat breakfast followed by either a high-flavanol cocoa drink or a low-flavanol version. Afterward, they underwent a stress-inducing mental math test. Measurements of blood flow, heart activity, and oxygen levels revealed that consuming the low-flavanol cocoa with fatty food reduced blood vessel function for up to 90 minutes after the stress. However, the high-flavanol cocoa prevented this decline.

Jet Veldhuijzen van Zanten, a co-author, noted, “Modern life is stressful… any changes we can make to protect ourselves from some of the symptoms of stress is positive.”

For those seeking healthier stress management, researchers recommend minimally processed cocoa powder or other flavanol-rich options like green tea, black tea, and berries. Making small dietary adjustments could offer significant benefits for your heart and overall health during stressful times.

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