“Tasty Drink” REDUCES Damage from Stress?!
Stress isn’t good for your overall wellbeing.
But it’s especially terrible for your heart.
It increases your blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar levels… all of which also increase your risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes.
Obviously, cutting back on stress is the best thing you can do.
But the next best thing is to reduce the harmful effect stress has on your heart.
And I’ve found a tasty drink that can do exactly that.
Do you ever find yourself reaching for chocolate when you’re stressed out?
If so, great!
It turns out that cocoa contains key compounds that could help protect your heart from the negative effects of stress.
A group of UK researchers examined the effects of cocoa flavanols on vascular function during stress.
Your blood vessels have a thin lining called the endothelium that, when functioning efficiently, reduces your risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, thrombosis, and more.
But the opposite is true as well.
Poor endothelial function causes your blood vessels to constrict and increases the risk of heart problems.
Stress impairs endothelial function and contributes to the risk of cardiovascular disease.
That’s where cocoa comes in.
In a recent study published in the journal Nutrients, researchers found that drinking a flavonoid-rich cocoa drink helped reduce temporary impairments in endothelial function caused by stress.
It also improved blood flow during stress.
Now, this does NOT mean that you should snack on a candy bar when you’re stressed out.
But unprocessed cocoa—the kind without any sugar — could be a great source to keep on hand for stressful times.
A great option is a product called CocoaVia, which is a powder that you can mix into coffee or a smoothie.
Other good sources of flavanols include apples, black grapes, blackberries, raspberries, and green tea.
P.S. I’m sure you’re well aware of the effects stress has on your body. And now you’ve learned just how dangerous it can be for your heart. Fortunately, there are more weapons in your arsenal when it comes to reducing stress, naturally. Click here to learn how you can MELT stress away in just ten minutes!
