Snacked down: How comfort eating can increase stress

We often reach for salty snacks or chocolate when feeling under pressure, but researchers warn that consuming high-fat foods reduces vascular function and oxygen flow in the brain

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IT’S the time of year when we often reach for comfort foods - a slice of gingerbread loaf, a mince pie - but experts urge us to hold fire as they could affect how our bodies cope with stress.

In two recent studies from the University of Birmingham, researchers have discovered that eating high-fat foods when feeling frazzled triggers a cascade of unwanted health reactions.