Cocoa could protect you from the negative effects of fatty foods when stressed

Stress can have an impact on our eating behavior. We may tend to turn to foods high in fat in response to a stressful or distressing situation. This habit is not without health risks. Indeed, these fatty food products can slow down the vascular recovery of the body in the event of stress.

Eating foods rich in flavonols would protect the vascular system

In a recent study, a research team from the University of Birmingham (United Kingdom) observed that the consumption of cocoa rich in flavanols, antioxidants, could limit the effects of fatty foods and protect the vascular system from stress. This work was published in the journal Food and Function.

During this research, scientists selected a group of healthy young adults. They organized a breakfast consisting of two butter croissants with 10 grams (g) of salted butter, 1.5 slices of cheddar and 250 milliliters (ml) of whole milk as breakfast, accompanied by a drink made from cocoa rich or poor in flavanols.

Participants then completed a mental arithmetic test that increased in speed for eight minutes. They were warned each time they made a mistake in an answer. An eight-minute rest period was also carried out. During these two phases, measurement of anterior blood flow, cardiovascular activity and tissue oxygenation of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) was performed. “We also assessed vascular function using brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD), which is a prognostic measure of future cardiovascular disease risk. This stress task induced significant increases in heart rate and of blood pressure, similar to the stress that one may encounter in daily life”explained Rosalind Baynham, first author of the work and doctoral student at the University of Birmingham.

Choose minimally processed cocoa powder

According to the results, consumption of fatty foods combined with the low-flavanol drink reduced vascular function under mental stress. This reduction in vascular capacity lasted up to 90 minutes after the stressful event ended. In contrast, the flavanol-rich cocoa drink was effective in preventing decline in vascular function following stress and fat consumption.“This study shows that drinking or eating a food rich in flavanols can be used as a strategy to mitigate the impact of poor dietary choices on the vascular system”noted Doctor Catarina Rendeiro, assistant professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Birmingham.

If you want to add a cocoa-based drink to your diet, specialists have recommended choosing a minimally processed powder. There are also other foods that are good sources of flavanols. This is particularly the case for green tea, black tea and berries.