Can a cup of cocoa for breakfast reduce the negative effects of a sleepless night?

A study published in the Journal of Hypertension revealed that drinking a cup of cocoa for breakfast may reduce the negative effects of a sleepless night. In the study, the researchers aimed to determine the potential effect of flavanol-rich cocoa on both cardiovascular and cognitive functions.

• In the study, the researchers looked at the acute effects of flavanol-rich cocoa on cognitive and cardiovascular health.
• They administered either flavanol-rich or flavanol-low cocoa to people who had a sleepless night.
• Two hours after consuming the flavanol-rich or flavanol-low cocoa, the researchers assessed the different cardiovascular and cognitive variables.
• The results showed that flavanol-rich cocoa provided cardiovascular protective effects by reducing the damaging hemodynamic effects of sleep deprivation, such as the increase in systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, the increase in pulse wave velocity, and the impairment in flow-mediated vasodilation.
• Sleep deprivation has a negative effect on cardiovascular health, particularly on blood pressure, endothelial function, and arterial stiffness.
• It also has a negative effect on cognitive performance, particularly on psychomotor vigilance and working memory performance.
• Working memory accuracy also significantly improved in female participants.

In conclusion, the study’s results suggest that the consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa reduces the negative effects of sleep deprivation on cardiovascular health and cognitive performance.

To read more studies on the health benefits of cocoa, visit Chocolate.news.

Journal Reference:

Lembo G, Grassi G. FLAVANOL-RICH COCOA AT BREAKFAST. Journal of Hypertension. 1 July 2016; 34 (7): 1252-1253. DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000000959