A new study published in the BMJ suggests that eating five servings of dark chocolate per week can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 21%. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 200,000 US adults and found that dark chocolate had a positive association with lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, while milk chocolate was associated with negative health outcomes.
Dark chocolate’s flavanol content is believed to be responsible for its benefits. Flavanols are polyphenol antioxidants also found in fruit and vegetables, which have been shown to improve heart health and lower type 2 diabetes risk. The study suggests that dark chocolate may help offset the negative aspects of milk chocolate due to its higher sugar content.
While further clinical trials are needed, this study provides encouraging evidence for dark chocolate’s potential as a tool in preventing cardiometabolic diseases.
Source: https://newatlas.com/diet-nutrition/dark-chocolate-diabetes