Skip to content
healthy-cooking — Food-and-drink — health-and-wellness — Cooking — Fitness-and-exercise — Lifestyle — Science — Nutrition

Dark Chocolate's Surprising Benefits for Diabetes Management and Weight Control

Indulging in dark chocolate can be a slightly better sweet treat option compared to others, especially for those aiming to steer clear of blood sugar complications and unnecessary weight gain.

,   and  Administrator
3 min read
Satisfy your cravings for something sweet without causing potential blood sugar issues and...
Satisfy your cravings for something sweet without causing potential blood sugar issues and excessive weight gain by opting for a piece of dark chocolate instead.

Dark Chocolate's Surprising Benefits for Diabetes Management and Weight Control

Here's a fresh take on the article:

Dark Chocolate: A Sweet Treat with Health Perks

I'm not shy about admitting I've got a serious sweet spot, but I try to keep it in check with healthy treats like fruits. However, once or twice a week I give myself a break and indulge in something divine - dark chocolate.

Reason being? Dark chocolate boasts a host of health benefits, like lowering your risk of heart disease and stroke. It can also help lower blood pressure, boost athletic endurance, and improve brain function. Plus, consuming it daily might even help prevent diabetes and insulin resistance.

That last benefit might seem puzzling because dark chocolate contains sugar. But a recent study confirmed the sweet connection...

The Dark Side of Type 2 Diabetes

Researchers from around the world analyzed three long-term studies involving healthcare workers with a total of 192,000 participants. In the analysis, 111,654 participants were studied to determine the effects of different chocolate types.

The team assessed the diets of the participants every four years and asked about their chocolate consumption in 2006 and 2007. They used nine levels to classify the frequency, which ranged from never or less than once a month to eating more than six servings a day.

They also looked at variables such as weight, waist size, blood pressure, and family history of diabetes. The researchers also took into account physical activity and body mass index (BMI) over time. Diabetes was self-reported in regular questionnaires and confirmed by study doctors.

There was a clear distinction between dark and milk chocolate...

"We were taken aback to see such a stark difference between dark and milk chocolate," study co-author Binkai Liu from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health told MedPage Today. "While dark chocolate was associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, milk chocolate showed no such effect and was even linked with weight gain. This finding underscores the importance of chocolate type and its nutrient composition."

Their results showed that those who consumed weekly servings of dark chocolate greater than or equal to 5 had a 21% lower risk of type 2 diabetes compared with those who never or rarely consumed it.

Eating dark chocolate was also linked with a higher-quality diet and greater consumption of fruit and veggies, epicatechin, and total flavonoids. The opposite was true for those who consumed milk chocolate.

"Recommending patients to enjoy dark chocolate occasionally as part of a balanced and nutrient-rich diet could be a practical approach to incorporate these findings," Liu added.

Choosing the Right Type of Dark Chocolate

Chocolate is high in polyphenols, including flavanols that belong to the larger flavonoid group. Previous research has linked higher dietary flavonoid consumption with decreased type 2 diabetes risk.

However, the relationship between chocolate and diabetes is still "controversial" because some studies have inconsistent findings and lack inquiry into the health effects of different chocolate subtypes.

Still, existing evidence appears to indicate that if you're going to consume chocolate, dark chocolate is the healthier option. So go ahead and indulge in the occasional dark chocolate treat - just make sure you choose the right kind.

Most nutritionists recommend a cocoa content of at least 60 percent. The higher the percentage, the more flavanols and other health-boosting compounds the dark chocolate contains. But be aware that many dark chocolate bars on the market contain heavy metals like lead and cadmium, which can pose potential health risks. Check this Consumer Reports analysis to choose the safest option.

In case you're feeling unusually tired, it could be more than just normal aging. The issue might be your master hormone, which, when improperly functioning, can increase your risk of age-related diseases. To reset what some call "the trigger for all disease," click here to discover The Insulin Factor: How to Repair Your Body's Master Controller and Conquer Chronic Disease!

Sources

  • New Study Teases Out Chocolate and Diabetes Connection - MedPage Today
  • Chocolate intake and risk of type 2 diabetes: prospective cohort studies - The BMJ
  • 11 Healthy (and Delicious) Chocolate Bars That Dietitians Eat - Everyday Health
  1. Dark chocolate, rich in flavanols, may contribute to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes as indicated in recent studies like the one published by MedPage Today.
  2. A balanced and nutrient-rich diet that includes dark chocolate could potentially lower the risk of type 2 diabetes by 21%, according to a study involving healthcare workers conducted by researchers from around the world.
  3. The nutritional value of dark chocolate extends beyond heart health benefits, as it has been linked to improved brain function, boosted athletic endurance, and even prevention of diabetes and insulin resistance.
  4. To maximize the health benefits of dark chocolate and minimize potential risks associated with heavy metals like lead and cadmium, aims for a cocoa content of at least 60% and consult resources like Consumer Reports for safer options.

Read also:

    Related

    Latest