Flavonols Offset Cardiovascular Damage Associated with Stress Eating

Patients handle stress differently. For some, stress can lead to emotional eating, which is the propensity to eat unhealthy, high-fat foods. This can negatively impact heart function.

A new study published in the journal Food & Function set out to determine if flavonol consumption could offset some of the harmful effects of stress eating high-fat foods. Young healthy adults were given a high-fat breakfast and then asked to perform stressful math tests. Various cardiovascular markers were measured including Brachial Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), which indicates a possible future risk of cardiovascular disease. The researchers found that the group that drank the high-flavonol beverage had better vascular function after the stressful event compared to the group that drank the low-flavonol beverage. The benefits lasted up to 90 minutes after the stressful event was completed.

While the researchers looked at mood and brain oxygenation, in this study the protective effects of the high-flavonol drink did not extend to cerebral vasculature. “Whilst there is some evidence to suggest polyphenols can reduce negative mood and improve positive mood, this might not be the case in the context of saturated fat intake and mental stress,” the researchers concluded.

The high-flavonol beverage was a combination of epicatechin, catechin, and other flavonols from cocoa providing 695 milligrams (mg) of total flavonols compared to only 5.6 mg of total flavonols in the control beverage. The authors point out that the amount of total flavonols used in the study can be achieved via the diet by consuming two cups of green tea, 5.5 tablespoons (tbsp) of unprocessed cocoa or 300 grams (g) of berries.

Flavonols found in cocoa have consistently demonstrated heart health benefits. For example, a 2016 analysis of 19 randomized clinical trials found that cocoa flavonol intake significantly improved several markers of cardiovascular health including insulin sensitivity and lipid profiles.

In addition to cocoa, research shows that other foods such as grapes, garlic, tomatoes, apples, and other fruits contain high amounts of flavonol compounds that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hypertensive activities.

This latest study demonstrates that flavonoid-rich foods can potentially protect endothelial function against poor food choices during times of stress. Of course, it’s always best to advise patients how to avoid emotional eating; however, high-flavonol foods and/or dietary supplements may be a tool to recommend for those patients who struggle with this issue.