Many of us love to indulge in our favourite snacks, often dubbed “junk food”, and assume that a “healthy” nibble means sticking to fruit or veggies. But now, according to a major study, including dark chocolate in your diet might come with quite the surprise benefit.
Often touted as a healthier choice compared to milk or white chocolate, researchers have found that munching on dark chocolate regularly could significantly cut the risk of developing diabetes.
Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health in Massachusetts spearheaded research which involved monitoring the health and eating patterns of 111,654 nurses, who recorded their chocolate consumption in surveys during the 1970s and 1980s. Findings from this long-term study suggest that eating chocolate, after factoring in dietary and lifestyle adjustments, brought about a 10% decreased risk of diabetes.
In particular, those having five or more servings of dark chocolate per week experienced a 21% lower chance of the blood sugar condition. And while those who consumed milk chocolate gained weight there was no problem with this for those enjoying the dark variety.
Chocolate is high in flavanols, a compound found in fruits and vegetables which experts believe help improve heart health as well as reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. However previous studies into the link between chocolate consumption and diabetes risk have had inconsistent results, say the researchers, reports Surrey Live.
The team pointed out that most previous research did not differentiate between types of chocolate, but they emphasised: “Milk and white chocolate intake might not lead to the same metabolic health benefits owing to their higher added sugar content – an established dietary risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases.”
The team said: “Increased consumption of dark, but not milk, chocolate was associated with lower risk of T2D. Increased consumption of milk, but not dark chocolate was associated with long-term weight gain.” They also called for more studies, stating: “Further randomised controlled trials are needed to replicate these findings and further explore the mechanisms.”
Diabetes UK reports that over 4.4 million people in the UK live with diabetes, with an additional 1.2 million possibly undiagnosed cases of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The charity has raised concerns about the growing numbers and estimates that more than 3.2 million people in the UK are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes based on their blood sugar levels.
The severity of the condition has been previously highlighted with a stark warning: “Without the right care and support, people with all types of diabetes can be at risk of developing serious complications. Every week, diabetes leads to 184 amputations, more than 930 strokes, 660 heart attacks and 2,990 cases of heart failure.”
Dr Lucy Chambers, head of research communications at Diabetes UK, commented on the study, stating: “This research adds to the body of evidence that is being built around specific foods and their relation to risk of type 2 diabetes, but it doesn’t demonstrate that eating dark chocolate directly lowers type 2 diabetes risk. Studying diet is complex and affected by many different interacting factors”
She added, “Eating more dark chocolate might sound appealing, but, while it can be enjoyed in moderation, we wouldn’t recommend it as a strategy for reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes based on current evidence. The strongest evidence for reducing type 2 diabetes risk lies in supporting people with combined interventions, including a balanced diet, physical activity and sustained weight loss which can be effective in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes by about 50% in some people.”