We love it when it’s cold.
Several drinks are good for the heart and arteries. These are mainly drinks that contain a lot of antioxidants such as green tea, hawthorn or lemon balm herbal tea, red fruit juices… More indulgent and particularly appreciated when it is cold, another hot drink would also be beneficial for heart health according to researchers from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Sydney (Australia).
This drink contributes to a healthier metabolic and cardiac environment. It is known for its abundance of flavonoids, compounds known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. “Flavonoids, particularly the flavanols (or catechins) present in this drink, have been associated with positive cardiovascular effects, particularly on lipid profiles, blood pressure, and fasting blood sugar, suggesting potential benefits for people with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes“, detail the researchers in their study published in the journal Plos One. Flavonoids also reduce “bad” cholesterol (an average reduction of –5.90 mg/dL over 6 months) and improve the profile of lipid markers (triglycerides, fats in the liver, etc.) essential for preventing cardiovascular diseases such as stroke or myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack.
Surprisingly, the drink in question is hot chocolate. But not just any cocoa, warn the researchers: the raw, unprocessed version of cocoa (unsweetened). Two 10g tablespoons of 99% cocoa chocolate powder contain 130 mg of polyphenols, double that of a cup of green tea. Excellent news for the greediest among us.
If drinking hot chocolate from time to time can be part of a balanced diet, in addition to other sources of antioxidants such as fruits and vegetables, be careful not to overdo it either because it remains a caloric and fatty drink ( count around 150 calories per cup). To obtain the healthiest version possible, choose skimmed milk or a plant-based soy, almond or oat drink, do not add sugar (or replace it with a natural sweetener such as honey or syrup). agave) and opt for pure unsweetened cocoa powder (brands like Van Houten, Biocoop, Monbana, Valhrona or Ethiquable offer them). The higher the cocoa content of the chocolate powder, the fewer calories it contains and the more beneficial it is for your health.