New research has found that a flavanol-rich cocoa drink can protect the body's vasculature against stress even after eating high-fat food. Food choices made during periods of stress can influence the effect of stress on cardiovascular health. For example, recent research from the University of Birmingham found that high-fat foods can negatively affect vascular function and oxygen delivery to the brain, meanwhile flavanol compounds found in abundance in cocoa and green tea can protect vascular function during periods of everyday stress.
Now, in a new study, the same research team has found that drinking cocoa high in flavanols in combination with a fatty meal can counteract some of the impact of fatty food and protect the vascular system from stress. The research has been published today (18 th November) in the journal Food and Function. Dr Catarina Rendeiro, Assistant Professor in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Birmingham, and leading author said: "We know that when people are stressed, they tend to gravitate towards high-fat foods.
We have previously shown that fatty food can impair the body's vascular recovery from stress. 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" Rosalind Baynham, first author on the paper, explained: "Flavanols are a type of compound that occur in different fruits, vegetables, tea and nuts including berries and unprocessed cocoa. Flavanols are know.
