Dark Chocolate: A Bittersweet Remedy for Diabetes Risk

Question

Eating dark chocolate rather than milk chocolate may be linked to a lower risk for type 2 diabetes, suggested a long-term US study.

According to the article, dark chocolate's natural compounds can benefit heart health and prevent diabetes. This theory was tested in 3 long-term experiments with female nurses and male healthcare workers. A hundred thousand adults have reported chocolate intake since 1986 as part of their experiment. The article provides additional statistics about the dietary and scientific facts about how the compounds of chocolate affect type 2 diabetes. NPR News also has information indicating that dark chocolate can lower the first of type 2 diabetes.

https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/12/05/nx-s1-5215929/dark-chocolate-diabetes-diet-blood-pressure#:~:text=Dark%20Chocolate%20and%20diabetes&text=Now%2C%20a%20new%20study%20finds,who%20don't%20consume%20it.

Comments

Dark Chocolate can reduce type 2 diabetes. Compared to milk chocolate it reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes but its not compared to no chocolate consumption. Milk chocolate didn't show correlation to type 2 diabetes but it could lead to wait gain. While eating dark chocolate it has been known for a lot of impotnce in people lifestyle like diet and excerise.

Answer 1

Agreed. There has been a lot of scientific research and study on the power behind dark chocolate. Not milk chocolate, but dark chocolate has been linked with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. At the "Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, studying in the Harvard Chan School Department of Nutrition “For anyone who loves chocolate, this is a reminder that making small choices, like choosing dark chocolate over milk chocolate, can make a positive difference to their health”. A study was conducted found that the participants who consumed five ounces (at least) of chocolate per week were at a 10% lower risk of Type 2 diabetes compared to those who don't consume chocolate. When conducting this study but with dark chocolate, it was found that with the same amount of consumption as regular chocolate lovers had a 21% lower risk of Type 2 diabetes.

Source: https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/eating-dark-chocolate-linked-with-reduced-risk-of-type-2-diabetes/

Study: https://www.bmj.com/content/387/bmj-2023-078386

Answer 2

The claim that eating dark chocolate may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes is based on some promising research, but it’s not definitive. Studies done by research programs like the NPR share claims and studies that suggest that dark chocolate’s flavonoids might improve insulin sensitivity and heart health, both linked to lower diabetes risk. However, these findings are observational and can’t prove a confirmed cause-and-effect relationship. Instead, it's important to understand that factors like genetics, diet, and lifestyle play a great role in lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes. So while dark chocolate can be part of a healthy diet in moderation, more controlled studies are needed to confirm its direct impact on diabetes risk before making such a strong claim like this. 

Aubrey, A. (2024, December 5). Dark chocolate may help lower risk of diabetes and high blood pressure, new study finds. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/12/05/nx-s1-5215929/dark-chocolate-diabetes-diet-blood-pressure

Answer 3

While this claim may be true, it is not clearly supported by the study referenced in the Medscape article linked. This study specifically researched groups that ate one ounce of dark chocolate daily and those that ate one ounce of milk chocolate daily, coming to the conclusion that consumption of dark chocolate lowers risk of type 2 diabetes compared to consumption of milk chocolate rather than no consumption of chocolate. Thus, it cannot be concluded solely from this study that consumption of dark chocolate leads to lower risk of type 2 diabetes, nor can consumption of dark chocolate be recommended to readers in order to reduce risk of type 2 diabetes. However, the study does include significant scientific backing with discussion of flavanols present in cocoa that reduce blood pressure, making the claim that dark chocolate lowers risk of type 2 diabetes worth researching.

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/dark-chocolate-bittersweet-remedy-diabetes-risk-2024a1000mg2?form=fpf

However, studies do show that consuming chocolate will lead to lower risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, adverse outcomes, and cardiovascular mortality, all of which are at increased risk for those with type 2 diabetes. A meta analysis consisting of nine studies and 157,809 participants shows that those who consume 100g or about 3.5 ounces of dark or milk chocolate, with more participants consuming dark chocolate, was associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, adverse outcomes, and cardiovascular mortality.

https://heart.bmj.com/content/101/16/1279.short?g=w_heart_ahead_tab

Thus, the claim that dark chocolate lowers risk of type 2 diabetes may be true, but requires further research in relation to those who do not consume chocolate rather than those who consume different types.

Answer 4

This claim although mostly accurate is misleading. The study referencedin both the NPR article linked and medspace, from the British Medical Journal. It does show that dark chocolate does reduce the risk of getting type 2 diabetes. But the study does not show that or say that your less likely to get type 1 diabetes compared to milk chocolate (The British Medical Journal). This is also the only study of it's kind I could find, so all though there is scientfic research provided it seems to be still ongoing.

https://www.bmj.com/content/387/bmj-2023-078386

https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/can-dark-chocolate-help-you-avoid-diabetes

Answer 5

This claim is misleading because while dark chocolate consumers did have lower rates of type two diabetes than milk chocolate consumers, that doesn't necessarily mean that dark chocolate lowers your risk of diabetes, only that milk chocolate increases it. While the findings of the study are true, this claim misrepresents the data and frames it in a way that makes dark chocolate seem healthy. Additionally, the study fails to consider the multitude of other factors and considerations when it comes to food intake along with the pre-existing habits of the participants.

Answer 6

While somewhat accurate, the statement "Dark Chocolate: A Bittersweet Remedy for Diabetes Risk" is also misleading. Medscape and NPR report findings from a large study show that people who consume dark chocolate about five or more servings per week regularly have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who eat it infrequently. The benefits come from flavanols, a plant compound in cocoa known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, both sources emphasize that other healthy lifestyle habits among consumers could influence their results, and further research would be needed. Although Harvard Health Medical affirms that “those who had at least five ounces of dark chocolate each week had a 21% lower risk of developing diabetes”, it points out that the advantages are unique to dark chocolate because of its greater flavanol content and lower sugar level. The New York Times also confirms an association but warns against treating dark chocolate as a “magic bullet,” pointing out that the study cannot show a correlation. Lastly, the National Library of Medicine offers compelling scientific evidence to back these claims, pointing to research showing that “Flavanoids in the cocoa plant may ameliorate insulin resistance by improving endothelial function, altering glucose metabolism, and reducing oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has been proposed as the main culprit for insulin resistance.” Although dark chocolate seems to be good in moderation overall, there is not enough data to conclude that it is a cure without more clinical research.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5699188/#CIT0001

https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/can-dark-chocolate-help-you-avoid-diabetes

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/04/well/eat/dark-chocolate-diabetes-study.html 

Answer 7

Looking at some of the general health benefits of dark chocolate, from an article 7 Proven Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate, it is proven that dark chocolate lowers blood pressure. Higher blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is heavily linked to diabetes. In another article,The Link Between Diabetes and Hypertension, "According to a 2018 article Trusted Source, people with high blood pressure usually have insulin resistance and have an increased risk of developing diabetes compared to those with typical blood pressure. Detecting and treating hypertension and diabetes promptly helps to prevent serious complications. Lifestyle adjustments can help manage blood pressure and blood glucose levels. Some people may also require medications." Another possibility for a benefit would be the lower amounts of glucose in dark chocolate versus milk chocolate. Less consumption of glucose helps in general with prevention of type 2 diabetes, so in tern consuming dark chocolate could help with prevention.

Answer 8

It is actually science that supports dark chocolate reducing the risk of Type 2 Diabetes, particularly with its high content of flavanols. It is the flavanols that are accountable for the increase in insulin sensitivity as well as the moderation of blood glucose levels. While it is true that dark chocolate has less sugar compared to milk chocolate, it's not entirely accurate to label milk chocolate as "bad" just because of this. The Medscape article is less a complaint about milk chocolate and more about how dark chocolate can be a part of a healthy diet. The NPR article cites how the fat and added sugar in milk chocolate can contribute to weight gain, a risk factor for diabetes. But the polyphenols in dark chocolate may cancel out some of the harms. Keep in mind that the addition of dark chocolate to a healthy diet will contribute to diabetes prevention but is not a cure or guaranteed defense. It cannot be directly compared to milk chocolate if not put into context, as the real issue is diet and lifestyle overall. 

https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/eating-dark-chocolate-linked-with-reduced-risk-of-type-2-diabetes/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5699188/