As evenings grow darker, a steaming mug of cocoa feels like a warm hug. Beyond this simple pleasure, as per new studies the coffee does more than just soothing – it offers surprising health benefits for men who struggle to find time for exercise.
Flavanol Rich Cocoa – A Heart Saving Pause for Hectic Sedentary Life
Sitting is the new cancer they said, by cancer they mean powerhouse of diseases that wait to strike!
As one sits down for long stretches, be in at the desk or in a car, is unhealthy for the heart because it reduces blood flow to the arteries, potentially putting people at risk of heart disease and strokes.
However, this study reveals that drinking cocoa before sitting for hours helps protect the arteries, because it contains flavanols. These natural compounds, which are found in tea, berries, apples and cocoa, have been linked in studies to better heart health.
A group of 40 healthy young men, half of whom were physically fit, and the other half less so were studied by researchers at the University of Birmingham.
Each drank either a cocoa drink high in flavanols – of at least 695mg – or one with barely any (5.6mg), then sat still for two hours. After this, the elasticity of their arteries was studied by the scientists – which is a sign of good blood flow, along with their blood pressure and oxygen levels in their leg muscles.
The study which is published in the Journal of Physiology, said that after the low-flavanol drink, both groups showed signs of reduced artery function and higher blood pressure. But the ones who had the high-flavanol cocoa showed no drop in artery performance at all.
Fighting the Vascular Slump of Inactivity
The study said this was the very first time that the correlation between flavanols and stoppage of the usual blood vessel slump that results from sitting for too long has been recorded.
The researchers also found that even being fit did not fully protect against the effects of sitting for long spells.
Speaking of women, they were not studied because as per them, the hormone changes during the menstrual cycle could affect how flavanols work in women, and they would like to study the same in future, but the scope of this study was limited to men.
Last year, researchers found that a cup of cocoa could protect you from the negative effects of fatty comfort foods during times of stress.
Dr Catarina Rendeiro, of the University of Birmingham, said: “Our research shows that consuming high-flavanol foods and drinks during periods spent sitting down is a good way to reduce some of the impact of inactivity on the vascular system.”
Alessio Daniele, a PhD student, said: “It is actually quite easy to add high flavanol foods to your diet. There are cocoa products available in supermarkets and health stores, which are processed through methods that preserve flavanol levels. If cocoa isn’t your thing, fruits like apples, plums and berries, nuts, and black and green tea are all common kitchen staples.”
Summary
As per the latest study led by the University of Birmingham, drinking flavanol-rich cocoa before long periods of sitting protects artery health, maintaining blood flow and preventing blood pressure spikes. The answer is not fitness, since even fit men as per the study are affected by prolonged inactivity. Flavanols, found in cocoa, tea, berries, and apples, offer a simple dietary way to counteract the vascular risks of sedentary lifestyles.
