Dark Chocolate May Lower Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes: Harvard Study

According to a recent study by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, dark chocolate might have an ‘unusual’ health benefit, i.e., reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Yes, one can reduce the risk of being diabetic by eating chocolates.

The BMJ has published a study analyzing data from 1,11,654 nurses in the United States who detailed their eating habits, including chocolate consumption, through surveys conducted in the 1970s and 1980s. It showed that, on average, over a follow-up period of 25 years, those who consumed five or more servings of dark chocolate per week had a 21% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who ate little or no dark chocolate.

Dark Chocolate vs. Milk Chocolate

However, the study showed the stark difference in the dark and milk chocolate effects, where dark chocolate was linked to healthier metabolic health while milk chocolates did not benefit in a similar way. In fact, there was a relation between a higher intake of milk chocolates with weight gain, which may increase diabetes risk.

The researchers attribute health benefits to dark chocolate based on the high flavanol content. Flavanols are naturally occurring compounds found in fruits and vegetables, which improve metabolic health. Milk chocolate contains higher amounts of added sugar, which could increase potential health benefits.

“We were surprised by the clear difference between dark and milk chocolate’s impact on diabetes risk and weight management,” said Qi Sun, the study’s lead author and an associate professor of nutrition and epidemiology. “The rich polyphenols in dark chocolate may offset the effects of saturated fat and sugar, making it a unique addition to a balanced diet.”

Everything In Excess is Hamful

While the findings are encouraging, the researchers caution against interpreting them as a license to consume unlimited amounts of chocolate. The association rather than causation revealed by the study means there could be other factors that account for reduced diabetes risk.

The authors emphasize one very important point: moderation. They emphasize that participants’ chocolate intake was relatively modest compared to current consumption trends. Moreover, Further clinical trials are needed to confirm the results and uncover the biological mechanisms behind dark chocolate’s health benefits.

Diabetes: A Growing Concern in India

With 463 million people affected globally in 2019, type 2 diabetes is a rising health crisis. The number of cases is expected to surge to 700 million by 2045. India, which accounted for over a quarter of the world’s diabetes cases in 2022, faces an especially severe burden, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Managing diabetes requires lifestyle adjustments, including careful attention to diet. This study offers hope that dark chocolate, often seen as a guilty pleasure, could become a small yet impactful part of a diabetes-friendly diet.

While this study may appear very appealing, since diabetes has become a little more common in youngsters, one has to limit excess sugar cravings along with opting for a healthy lifestyle.

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