Headline:
Protect Your Heart with Cocoa and Green Tea: They May Counteract Junk Food Impacts When You’re Stressed
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Discover how cocoa and green tea consumption before a meal can help mitigate cardiovascular risks from junk food, even during stress, according to new research.
Article:
Are you fond of occasional junk food and prone to stress? You’re not alone. But did you know that combining these factors can have detrimental effects on your cardiovascular health? A new study, however, offers a solution: consume cocoa or green tea before indulging in high-fat foods to counterbalance the negative impacts.
The Impact of Stress and Junk Food
Researchers at the University of Birmingham, UK, led by Professor Catarina Rendeiro, have found that mental stress can drive people to consume high-fat foods. They’ve also shown that these foods can impair the vascular recovery phase post-stress. "We know that when people are stressed, they tend to reach for fatty foods. We’ve shown before that these foods can impact vascular recovery," said Rendeiro.
The Potential of Flavonoids
To combat this, the team hypothesized that adding flavonoid-rich foods like cocoa or green tea could help. Flavonoids are a type of antioxidant found in various fruits, vegetables, teas, and cocoa. Previous studies have linked them to reduced risks of diabetes and dementia.
The Study
To test this hypothesis, the team conducted a study with healthy young adults who consumed either a flavonoid-rich or flavonoid-poor drink alongside a high-fat meal. The flavonoid-rich drink was prepared with 12g of cocoa powder per cup of whole milk, containing 695mg of flavonoids. In contrast, the flavonoid-poor drink had only 5.6mg of flavonoids.
After consuming the meal and drink, the participants rested before undertaking a mentally stressful math test. The researchers monitored their blood flow, oxygen levels in the brain, and cardiovascular risk factors throughout.
Flavonoids to the Rescue
The results were promising. Consuming flavonoid-rich cocoa protected participants from the cardiovascular risks associated with the high-fat meal during stress. It significantly improved blood flow and managed cardiovascular risk factors better than its flavonoid-poor counterpart.
However, the study found no immediate benefits to brain oxygenation or mood. The positive effects were specific to cardiovascular health.
Strategies for Healthy Eating Under Stress
Rendeiro suggests that incorporating flavonoid-rich foods like cocoa (minimally processed), green tea, or certain fruits into your diet can mitigate the negative impacts of stress and unhealthy eating. "This research shows that a flavonoid-rich drink or food could be used as a strategy to offset some of the negative vascular effects of less healthy food choices when stressed," said Rendeiro.
So, the next time you reach for junk food during a stressful day, consider pairing it with a flavonoid-packed drink or snack. Your heart will thank you!
Sources:
- New York Post: Cocoa, green tea can counter junk food effects when stressed
- Royal Society of Chemistry: Food & Function Journal
