Consuming dark chocolate five or more times a week has been shown to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
A study published in BMJ reported that consuming dark chocolate five or more times a week reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes by 21%.
The research team recently analyzed the relationship between chocolate consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes. Noting inconsistent results from previous studies, the researchers aimed to examine the relationship more closely and distinguish the effects of dark chocolate and milk chocolate on the risk of type 2 diabetes.
The clinical trial included extensive data from three cohort studies: the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS), Nurses’ Health Study II, and Health Professionals Follow-up Study.
Data from 192,208 participants were analyzed for total chocolate consumption, and data from 111,654 participants were analyzed for chocolate type. Participants with pre-existing diabetes, cancer, or cardiovascular disease were excluded.
Each cohort study assessed participants’ diets using food frequency questionnaires every four years. In 2006 and 2007, dietary assessments included information about the type of chocolate consumed.
The cohort studies also included information on various covariates, such as weight, alcohol consumption, hypertension, and family history of diabetes. Participants completed covariate questionnaires every two years.
The research team monitored type 2 diabetes cases and weight changes during follow-up periods. Over time, 18,862 participants developed type 2 diabetes.
The study found that participants who consumed chocolate five or more times a week had an approximately 10% lower risk of type 2 diabetes than those who did not consume chocolate or ate very little.
Additionally, one serving of dark chocolate per week was linked to a 3% reduction in the risk of type 2 diabetes, while consuming it five or more times weekly lowered the risk by 21%.
In contrast, no significant association was found between milk chocolate consumption and type 2 diabetes risk. Milk chocolate consumption was associated with weight gain.
The research team concluded that regular consumption of dark chocolate lowers the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, while milk chocolate does not offer the same benefit. Based on these findings, they suggested that dark chocolate’s rich flavonoid content may provide potential metabolic advantages.
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