Jakarta –
When stressed, someone tends to want to consume high-fat foods. However, this research shows that stress can be overcome with the following delicious drinks.
A stressed mind makes a person tend to have a desire to eat foods high in fat, including fast food that is fried or high in sugar. However, fast food has very bad effects on the body, especially when eaten in excess portions.
Therefore, a new study was conducted to prove whether foods containing flavonoids can relieve stress which often triggers the desire to eat fatty foods.
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Assistant professional in nutrition at the University of Birmingham in England, Catarina Rendeiro, revealed that fatty foods can interfere with the recovery of the body’s blood vessels from stress.
For this study, a group of young, healthy adults each consumed two croissants with salted butter, 1 1/2 slices of cheddar cheese, and a cocoa drink with high and low flavonol content for breakfast, reports nypost.com (11/18/2024 ).
Specifically for cocoa drinks, it is made by dissolving 12 grams of cocoa powder in a cup of whole milk.
Per serving contains 5.6 milligrams of flavonols in low-flavonol cocoa powder. Meanwhile, there are 695 milligrams of flavonols in cocoa powder with a high flavonol content.
 Chocolate drinks high in flavonols are said to relieve stress. Photo: iStock |
Why are the flavonols in cocoa powder important? The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends adults consume at least 400 to 600 mg of flavonols daily.
According to Rosalind Baynham’s explanation, flavonols are compounds that are available in several fruits, vegetables, tea, berries, and even unprocessed cocoa. Flavonols are known to be useful for regulating high blood pressure and maintaining cardiovascular health.
The study group was allowed to rest after consuming breakfast before they were faced with a stressful math test.
As they began the exam and answered as many questions as possible in eight minutes, the researchers measured their blood flow and brain oxygen levels and assessed their risk of heart disease.
According to Baynham, “These stressful tasks cause significant increases in heart rate and blood pressure, similar to the stress one might encounter on a daily basis.”
 Research shows that the level of flavonols in cocoa can help overcome this problem. Photo: Getty Images/Narong KHUEANKAEW |
Their team also found that consuming high-fat foods combined with drinks low in flavonols during mental stress can reduce the function of the circulatory system. The effect lasts up to 90 minutes after the stress period is over.
The study also showed that blood flow was significantly better half an hour and 90 minutes after the stress trigger occurred when there was an intake of cocoa with a higher flavonol content than cocoa with a lower flavonol content.
However, the flavonols in cocoa do not increase oxygen delivery to the brain or affect mood.
Chocolate made from cocoa beans has also been proven to have a relaxing effect on the nervous system and helps reduce stress hormones, such as cortisol, in the body.
(aqr/adr)
