Dark Chocolate vs. Milk Chocolate: Which One Protects Against Diabetes?

A new study reveals that dark chocolate may actually lower the risk of diabetes.

Researchers from Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health compared the health benefits of dark chocolate and milk chocolate. The study followed over 111,000 chocolate lovers for 25 years. The results revealed that individuals who consumed dark chocolate more than five times a week had a 21% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

However, those with a sweet tooth for milk chocolate didn’t see the same benefits.

Diabetes comes in two main flavors: type 1 and type 2.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system goes rogue, destroying insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This leads to little or no insulin production, causing blood sugar levels to skyrocket. It’s like your body’s sugar thermostat has gone haywire. Type 1 can strike at any age and requires lifelong insulin therapy. It’s a mix of genetic bad luck and environmental factors.

While it commonly occurs in children and adolescents, adults can also develop it. Insulin is essential for managing type 1 diabetes, but even with treatment, achieving normal blood sugar levels can be difficult. High blood sugar and complications tend to arise more quickly compared to type 2 diabetes.

Trauma or accidents that damage the pancreas, such as from a fall or car crash, can lead to conditions like pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer and may also result in type 1 diabetes after surgery. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include extreme thirst, frequent urination, vomiting, and loss of consciousness. In severe cases, it can lead to death.

Without timely insulin therapy, individuals with type 1 diabetes can die within a month. However, with proper insulin use and blood sugar management, people with type 1 diabetes can lead relatively everyday lives.

Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is like your body’s sugar processing plant has gone on strike.

It typically shows up after 40 and can lead to a host of complications. The usual suspects? Family history, previous blood sugar issues, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, booze, cigarettes, couch potato lifestyle, and carrying extra pounds. The good news? Type 2 can often be managed with lifestyle changes and medication.

In some cases, if type 2 diabetes gets out of hand, it can put so much stress on the pancreas that it morphs into type 1.

The research team explained that while both types of chocolate contain similar amounts of sugar, fat, and calories, dark chocolate has a higher cocoa content. Cocoa, the less-processed ingredient in chocolate, is rich in flavanols, a type of antioxidant. Flavanols help reduce inflammation and prevent chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. They also improve insulin sensitivity and reduce oxidative stress.

Flavanols work their magic by boosting insulin sensitivity and reducing oxidative stress.

But before you start mainlining dark chocolate, remember that moderation is key. Stick to about 28 grams per serving.