DIABETES: Dark chocolate to regulate blood sugar

Previous research has already clarified the relationship between chocolate and type 2 diabetes but with mixed results, probably due to the many types of chocolate. The main author, Binkai Liu, a nutrition researcher, recalls in particular “that when it comes to health, all chocolates are not equal: for all those who like chocolate, it is better to opt for dark chocolate rather than for milk chocolate.

Consuming dark chocolate associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes

The study analyzes data from Nurses' Health Studies I and II and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, i.e. 192,000 participants, non-diabetic at inclusion and followed for more than 30 years. The study took into account their eating habits, including their chocolate consumption, their diabetic status and their body weight.

• At the end of follow-up, nearly 19,000 participants were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes;
• of the nearly 112,000 participants consuming chocolate, dark or milk, nearly 5,000 were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes;
• participants who consumed at least 140 g of any type of chocolate per week had a 10% reduced risk of type 2 diabetes vs. never or rarely;
• participants who consumed at least 5 servings of dark chocolate per week had a 21-fold reduced risk of type 2 diabetes;
• each serving of dark chocolate consumed per week is associated with a 3% reduction in diabetes risk;
• the consumption of milk chocolate, for its part, does not appear specifically associated with a reduction in the risk of type 2 diabetes;
• Increased consumption of milk chocolate, on the other hand, is associated with long-term weight gain, a possible factor in type 2 diabetes.

“There exists a clear difference between the impact of dark chocolate and milk chocolate on diabetes risk and weight management. Even though dark chocolate and milk chocolate have similar levels of calories and saturated fat, dark chocolate's rich polyphenols appear to offset the effects of saturated fat and sugar on weight gain and diabetes. “It’s an intriguing difference worth exploring.”

According to the researchers, Opting for dark chocolate over milk chocolate can make a big difference to your health.