Sip On this Holiday Helper to Protect Your Health
Merry Christmas!
Today, as you reach for that second helping of mince pie or another buttery Christmas cookie, I’ve got some good news to help ease the guilt.
Recent research from the University of Birmingham suggests that a cup of cocoa could help protect your body from the effects of holiday overindulgence… especially when you’re juggling the stress of this festive season.
We all know the feeling when stress levels rise (like when you’re wrapping last-minute presents or preparing Christmas dinner for twelve) and fatty comfort foods become even more tempting.
Unfortunately, this combo—stress and indulgent foods— is tough on your cardiovascular system
But here’s where cocoa works its magic…
Researchers discovered that a flavanol-rich cocoa drink could act as a sort of protective shield for our blood vessels, even after eating foods high in bad fats.
Flavanols are natural compounds found in cocoa, tea, and various fruits, and they’re known to support cardiovascular health.
To test this, the researchers conducted a clever experiment. They gave participants a breakfast that might remind you of a Christmas morning treat—buttery croissants, cheese, and whole milk.
Some participants enjoyed a high-flavanol cocoa drink, while others got a low-flavanol version. Then, they faced a stress test.
The results? Those who ate a fatty breakfast with low-flavanol cocoa saw their vascular function decrease significantly—and this effect lasted for 90 minutes after the stressful event.
However, those who had the high-flavanol cocoa drink showed no such decline. Their blood vessels remained healthy and resilient despite the fatty food and stress.
So, what does this mean for the rest of your holiday season (and beyond)? Well, I’m not suggesting you can completely offset that huge Christmas dinner, but you should consider adding some flavanol-rich treats to your festive routine today.
The researchers recommend looking for minimally processed cocoa powder for your hot chocolate. Not a cocoa fan? No problem! You can get your flavanols from other sources, too. Green tea, black tea, and berries are all excellent options.
The recommended daily intake is 400 to 600 mg of flavanols, which you can get from two cups of tea or a mix of berries, apples, and quality cocoa.
Let’s face it… modern life is stressful, and stress levels can soar even higher during the holiday season.
If you tend to reach for comforting treats when you’re stressed or rely on convenience foods due to time pressure (Christmas shopping, anyone?), adding more flavanol-rich foods to your diet could make a real difference.
So, today, as you navigate the joyful chaos of Christmas, remember that a cup of cocoa might be more than just a festive treat… it could be helping your body stay healthy amid the celebration.
P.S. Four powerful ways to fight chronic stress.
Source:
Rosalind Baynham, Jet J. C. S. Veldhuijzen van Zanten, Catarina Rendeiro. Cocoa flavanols rescue stress-induced declines in endothelial function after a high-fat meal, but do not affect cerebral oxygenation during stress in young, healthy adults. Food & Function, 2024; DOI: 10.1039/D4FO03834G
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Rosalind Baynham, Jet J. C. S. Veldhuijzen van Zanten, Catarina Rendeiro. Cocoa flavanols rescue stress-induced declines in endothelial function after a high-fat meal, but do not affect cerebral oxygenation during stress in young, healthy adults. Food & Function, 2024; DOI: 10.1039/D4FO03834G