According to science, this delicious drink helps make up for the damage caused by a fatty meal

In winter, especially during the end-of-year holidays, it is more common to eat copious meals rich in fat. Although delicious, these tend to slow down digestion, but also cause stomach aches, in addition to their potential impact on the figure. Without giving up the pleasure of these feasts, it is a question of finding solutions to minimize the inconveniences which may be linked to these excesses. As reported The Women’s Journalresearchers from the University of Birmingham have identified an unexpected ally to repair the damage caused by a fatty meal. It is nothing other than a delicious cocoa-based drink, like hot chocolate for example. This could offset the negative effects of high-fat meals.

What drink should you consume to make up for a fatty meal?

To reach this conclusion, the researchers carried out an experiment with 23 adults by offering them a very fatty breakfast consisting of croissants, cheddar and whole milk, accompanied either by a drink rich in flavonoids or low in flavonoids. These natural molecules present in cocoa are recognized for their protective role in vascular health. The results, published in the journal Food & Functionshow that subjects who consumed the drink rich in flavonoids had better blood circulation. This improvement suggests increased resistance to the negative effects of fat on the vascular system. This offers an interesting avenue to study on the best ways to limit the damage of a diet that is too fatty.

To measure the impact of cocoa, participants were given a stress test involving rapid mental calculations. During exercise, the scientists analyzed their blood flow, cardiovascular activity and oxygenation of the prefrontal cortex, a key area of ​​the brain. “We asked them to complete a mental arithmetic test which increased in speed for 8 minutes, alerting them when they gave a wrong answer”explain Rosalind Bayhamco-author of the study. Participants who consumed the flavonoid-rich cocoa showed a better cardiovascular response and more efficient cerebral oxygenation, proving that this drink can alleviate the effects of post-meal stress.

Why should we focus on flavonoids?

“This research shows that drinking or eating a flavonoid-rich food can be used as a strategy to mitigate some of the impact of less wise food choices on the vascular system. This may help us make more informed decisions about what we let’s eat or drink during times of stress”emphasizes for his part, the Dr Rendeirowho led the research. This discovery highlights the benefit of favoring drinks or foods rich in flavonoids to limit the effects of excess fat. For those who don’t like hot chocolate, other sources of flavonoids exist. Green tea, for example, is an interesting alternative. Two cups per day are enough to obtain benefits similar to those observed with cocoa.