In a previous study, the Birmingham researchers found that high-fat foods can negatively affect the function of blood vessels and oxygen delivery to the brain, while flavanols – found in abundance in cocoa and green tea – can protect this function during periods of everyday stress.

New research has found that a flavanol-rich cocoa drink can protect the body's vasculature against stress even after eating high-fat food.

Folks who stress-eat fatty foods like cookies, chips and ice cream might be able to protect their health with a nice cup of cocoa or green tea, a new study says.