Stress Eating on Comfort Food Could Amplify Risks For Mental Health and Heart Disease, Study Reveals

While some people may opt for their favorite comfort food during stressful times, a study suggests that this is something that people should think twice about. The study found that stress eating could negatively affect endothelial function.

The Endothelium

The endothelium is a layer of cells that lines the blood vessels. When its function is proper, it is part of the blood vessels' relaxation and constriction. It also manages how fluids and other molecules move through body tissues.

Dysfunction in the endothelium could result in a heightened risk of high blood pressure, clogged arteries, and cardiovascular disease.

Stress Eating Risks

The new study, "Fat intake impairs the recovery of endothelial function following mental stress in young healthy adults" found that the consumption of high-fat food before stressful events may detrimentally affect the function of the endothelium.

The study authors also note that stress is known to lead to a functional decline in the endothelium for roughly 15 to 90 minutes after a stressful event takes place. This is among young and healthy adults.

It has also been reported that people have a tendency to overeat sugary and fatty foods in the face of stress. This has been found to adversely affect the blood vessels, which include the endothelium.

With these facts, the authors were thinking that there could be a connection between fat consumption and stress effects that could lead to further impairment of blood flow.

To delve further into this, 21 healthy volunteers were recruited. The whole group was divided into males and females, with the numbers being almost equal.

The participants were given individual breakfasts of two butter croissants. They were then asked to perform a stress test that lasted eight minutes. For this test, the participants had to mentally solve math problems with speeds that gradually increased. They were also alerted when the answer they gave was wrong. The test's purpose was to simulate the stress that people may experience on a typical day.

Vascular system function was assessed through an approach called flow-mediated dilatation. This was done to measure blood flow through an arm artery.

The scientists discovered that the consumption of fatty foods in the face of stress reduced vascular function by 1.74%. This was opposed to the 1.18% decline observed among those who ate a meal low in fat while they were being tested.

In previous studies, it was noted that just a 1% function reduction could lead to a 13% higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

The researchers also explained during a press release that they discovered that the consumption of high-fat foods negatively affected prefrontal cortex oxygenation. This brain region handles cognitive processes that are higher-level.

Not to mention, fat consumption could also amplify stress effects. Registered dietitian and nutrition consultant Kelsey Costa, MS, RDN, from the National Coalition on Healthcare, explains that the study shows that consumption of highly fatty food during stressful times could delay the healing process of the body, specifically the endothelium's function. This suggests that stress eating on these comfort foods could detrimentally affect the vascular health of individuals who are young and healthy.

Overall, the study suggests that the consumption of fatty comfort foods when stressed could contribute to the deleterious impacts of stress on the function of the endothelium.

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