Dark chocolate has long been praised for its heart-health benefits, and extensive research has been conducted on its effects. However, findings have been mixed, and its potential downsides should not be overlooked. Now, a new study focusing on dark chocolate suggests that regularly consuming it may reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
According to Saednews' Science and Technology section, researchers at Harvard University found that eating five servings of dark chocolate per week could reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 21% compared to those who do not eat dark chocolate.
In the study, researchers asked participants to fill out detailed questionnaires every four years. They examined the connection between type 2 diabetes and chocolate consumption in 192,028 people, as well as the difference in consumption between dark and milk chocolate in 111,654 individuals. The researchers found that the benefits of dark chocolate were absent in milk chocolate. Regular consumption of milk chocolate was associated with weight gain:
"Consuming milk chocolate was positively associated with weight gain. Compared to those who didn’t change their chocolate consumption, increasing milk chocolate intake over a four-year period led to an average weight gain of 0.35 kg. In contrast, increasing dark chocolate consumption showed no connection with weight changes." In general, flavanols—polyphenolic antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables—are linked to improved heart health and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. Dark chocolate, with 50-80% cocoa, contains the highest levels of flavan-3-ol (3.65 mg per gram), while milk chocolate, with an average of 35% cocoa, contains just 0.69 mg of this compound.
As a result, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes was 21% lower among those who consumed dark chocolate five times a week. However, increasing milk chocolate consumption was linked to long-term weight gain. According to the National Health and Nutrition Survey, 11.1% of adults in the U.S. consume chocolate regularly, but only 1.4% of them eat dark chocolate (containing 45% or more cocoa).
