New research published in The Journal of Physiology suggests that certain foods that are high in flavanols, such as tea and cocoa, may prevent some of the damage to the cardiovascular system caused by prolonged sitting.
The study was a randomized, placebo-controlled trial that included 40 healthy male participants. The participants were randomly assigned to drink either a high-flavanol or low-flavanol cocoa beverage. Then, all of the participants were required to sit for two hours. Before and after the period of sitting, various measures of vascular health were taken. These included blood pressure, leg muscle oxygenation, and lower- and upper-limb vascular function. Sedentary behavior is an increasingly prevalent health concern that has been linked to a variety of health issues, including cardiovascular disease and obesity. This study sought to determine whether nutrition before periods of sitting, and specifically consumption of flavanols, has potential to change some of the negative health impacts associated with sitting.
The results showed that the participants who consumed high-flavanol cocoa before the period of prolonged sitting did not show declines in flow-mediated dilation in their upper or lower limbs. Flow-mediated dilation is a measure of vascular function, and drops in flow-mediated dilation have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, participants who consumed low-flavanol cocoa before sitting showed significant decreases in flow-mediated dilation in their upper and lower limbs. These participants also had higher blood pressure and lower leg muscle oxygenation after sitting. Overall, the results suggested that consuming flavanols before prolonged sitting may counteract some of the negative impacts on the cardiovascular system caused by sitting.
The authors noted that the beneficial effects of drinking flavanols before sitting applied to participants who had both high and low fitness levels. They further noted that adding flavanols to your diet may be a simple and effective way to counteract the negative health impact of sitting for long periods of time. Foods that are high in flavanols include cocoa, tea, fruits, nuts, and berries.
Sources: The Journal of Physiology, Science Daily