A cup of cocoa could protect you from the negative effects of fatty comfort foods during times of stress, new research suggests.

The food choices people make when stressed can influence the effect this tension has on heart health, experts say.

But now a small study has found that drinking cocoa (the key ingredient in chocolate) high in flavanols with a fatty meal can mitigate some of the impact the food has on the body.

Flavanols are compounds found in some foods and drinks, like apples and tea, and are considered to have a range of different benefits, including being good for regulating blood pressure and protecting cardiovascular health.

For people who are likely to reach for a fat-rich treat when stressed, or because it is quick or convenient, adding a cup of minimally processed cocoa or green tea “could make a real difference” for their health.