We have long believed that a small glass alcohol could bring down the pressure in the event of stress. We now know that this is not the case (any more than alcohol “warms up”). Others drinks on the other hand can be interesting. British researchers from the University of Birmingham have just published enlightening works in the magazine Food & Functionand these are green tea and hot chocolate which are to be favored to counteract the deleterious effects of stress, particularly on cardiovascular health.
That’s good, these two hot drinks are perfect to accompany us all winter.
Flavanols that support cardiovascular health
What do green tea and cocoa have in common? Their wealth in antioxidantsparticularly in flavonoids. Cocoa and green tea are thus particularly rich in epicatechina flavonoid that protects the arteries and regulates blood pressure.
A study published a few years ago in theAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition had even shown that regular consumption of foods rich in epicatechin reduced the mortality risk in people suffering from coronary heart disease. This new English study confirms these beneficial effects and more: cocoa and green tea support cardiovascular health but not only that, they also cancel out the negative effects of fatty foods on the heart.
Beware of fatty foods, which increase stress
If flavonoids reduce the harmful effects of stress on cardiovascular health, foods rich in saturated fats cause the opposite effect ! “LFatty foods can harm the body’s vascular recovery after stress, explains Dr. Catarina Rendeiro, who participated in the study. However, it is precisely this type of food which we want when we are stressed, when we are tired or when we need comfort.
By integrating a drink (or food) rich in flavonoids such as cocoa or green tea into the meal, we reverse the harmful effects of stress + fat combination.
How much flavonoids ? The benefits are real from “2 cups of green tea or 5.5 tablespoons of unprocessed cocoa”, specify the scientists.
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