Surprising everyday drink may slash heart attack, diabetes and blood pressure risk

Scientific research suggests one hot beverage has an unexpected benefit (stock image) (Image: Getty)

If you're keen to drink something 'healthy', chances are, you'll opt for a smoothie, protein shake or anything green. But research actually suggests that a certain hot drink is more beneficial than you might expect - and it's good news for those with a sweet tooth.

Just last month, researchers praised a key ingredient of this beverage for its 'flavonoids' which are known for their game-changing 'antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties'. When consumed, it's believed these have the potential to reduce bad cholesterol and, in turn, slash the risk of a cardiovascular disease or a heart attack, while also providing possible benefits 'for individuals with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes'.

Incredibly, the ingredient in question is actually chocolate. And what better drink to enjoy it in than hot chocolate? Importantly, Healthline clarifies that it isn't any old chocolate but cacao - the raw, unprocessed version of cocoa.

Often, cacao products have very little to no sugar. "Cacao is a pure form of cocoa that’s generally less processed and more nutrient-dense than most other cocoa products," experts at Healthline add.

Cacao is the purest form of cocoa - it's used to produce some types of hot chocolate (Image: Getty)

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"To create a nutritious hot chocolate beverage without high amounts of added sugar, add 1 tablespoon of cacao powder to a mug of hot milk of your choice. Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon and sweeten with a bit of honey or maple syrup."

You can bag yourself a 250g packet of Naturya Fairtrade cacao hot chocolate powder on Amazon for £6.48. Alternatively, you can buy some at Holland and Barrett for £8.70, or Tesco for £3.00.