A recent study published in the British Medical Journal has found that eating a few servings of dark chocolate each week may lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Researchers analyzed data from over 190,000 healthcare professionals in the US and found that those who ate at least five servings of dark chocolate per week had a 21% lower risk of getting Type 2 diabetes.
In contrast, milk chocolate showed no similar benefit and was even associated with long-term weight gain, a key risk factor for the disease. The study suggests that the higher cocoa content in dark chocolate may be the reason, as it contains bioactive compounds that improve insulin sensitivity and boost glucose metabolism.
On the other hand, milk chocolate’s high sugar and saturated fat content can counteract these benefits and lead to weight gain. The researchers noted that dark chocolate’s rich polyphenols may help offset this effect. While lifestyle changes are still the best way to prevent Type 2 diabetes, this study suggests that moderate dark chocolate consumption may be a helpful addition to a healthy diet.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Wellness/daily-dose-dark-chocolate-lower-diabetes-risk-study/story?id=116498900