Not Coffee — Scientists Name the Best Drink for Office Workers 0 5

Researchers from the University of Birmingham (UK) have found that flavanols found in cocoa help protect blood vessels from damage caused by a sedentary lifestyle.

What Happens When We Sit Too Long

Doctors compare constant sitting to smoking. The effect on health from these habits is roughly equal. Hours spent at a desk, especially in front of a screen, reduce vascular activity, worsen blood circulation, and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. This is in extreme cases, but almost every office worker is familiar with back pain and loss of muscle mass.

Moreover, studies show that every two hours spent in a seated position increases the risk of obesity by 23% and diabetes by 14%.

How Cocoa Helps Blood Vessels

In a new study reported by the Journal of Physiology, 40 men aged 18 to 45 participated. Half drank cocoa high in flavanols (695 mg), while the other half consumed a drink with almost none (5.6 mg).

Participants were then asked to sit for two hours, after which their well-being was assessed. Those who drank the flavanol-rich cocoa maintained normal elasticity and blood flow in their vessels. In contrast, the others experienced arterial constriction and increased blood pressure.

Where Else to Find Flavanols

If you are not a fan of cocoa, similar compounds can be obtained from other foods. They are found in:

apples;
berries;
plums;
nuts;
green tea;
tomatoes;
peaches;
red wine.