NEW YORK, Nov 18: New research suggests that a cup of cocoa may help protect against the negative effects of fatty comfort foods during stressful times. Experts say the food choices people make when stressed can influence how stress affects heart health. A small study has found that drinking cocoa, rich in flavanols—the key ingredient in chocolate—along with a fatty meal, can reduce some of the impact of stress and unhealthy foods on the body.

Flavanols, found in foods and drinks such as apples, tea, cocoa, and green tea, are known for their health benefits, including improving blood pressure regulation and supporting cardiovascular health. For those prone to choosing fatty foods when stressed, or for convenience, adding a cup of minimally processed cocoa or green tea could help mitigate some of the health risks.

Dr. Catarina Rendeiro, assistant professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Birmingham and the study’s lead author, explained, "We know that when people are stressed, they tend to gravitate towards high-fat foods." She added that previous research showed fatty foods impair the body's recovery from stress. In this study, researchers wanted to explore whether adding high-flavanol foods to a fatty meal could alleviate the negative effects of stress.

In earlier studies, Birmingham researchers found that high-fat foods can harm blood vessel function and reduce oxygen delivery to the brain. However, flavanols, abundant in cocoa and green tea, appear to protect these functions during stressful periods.

For the study, researchers gave 23 healthy adults a breakfast of butter croissants, cheddar cheese, and whole milk, along with either a high-flavanol or low-flavanol cocoa drink. After resting for eight minutes, participants completed a mentally demanding task, which increased in speed. Scientists measured blood flow, heart activity, and oxygen levels during this period.

The researchers found that stress caused significant increases in heart rate and blood pressure, similar to everyday stress. When participants consumed fatty foods with the low-flavanol drink, their blood vessel function worsened, lasting up to 90 minutes post-stress. However, the high-flavanol cocoa drink prevented this decline in blood vessel function.

The study, published in Food and Function, suggests that people should look for minimally processed cocoa powder at supermarkets. If cocoa isn't preferred, other flavanol-rich options include green tea, black tea, and berries.

Jet Veldhuijzen van Zanten, professor of biological psychology at the University of Birmingham and co-author of the study, noted, "Modern life is stressful, and its impact on health is well-documented. Small changes, such as incorporating flavanols into the diet, could make a significant difference for those stressed by work or time constraints."