A cup of hot cocoa could be a simple and enjoyable way to protect your blood vessels from the harmful effects of prolonged sitting, according to a study by British scientists published in the Daily Mail.
In the experiment, 40 young men of varying fitness levels sat still for two hours. One group drank cocoa high in flavanols, which are heart-healthy compounds, while the other drank a placebo drink that had the flavanols removed.
The result surprised even the researchers: in those who drank natural cocoa, blood vessel function remained stable, while in the others it significantly decreased. And this was regardless of how trained the participants were.
Dr Catarina Rendeiro, from the University of Birmingham, who led the study, explained:
"Even short periods of sitting can affect blood vessels. But eating foods rich in flavanols helps to prevent this. This, together with short breaks to move, can significantly improve the condition of blood vessels and the heart."
So, a cup of quality cocoa is not just a pleasure, but also a potential “trainer” for your vascular system.
