Dark Chocolate Can be beneficial for people with Diabetes

Question

Dark chocolate, especially varieties with at least 70% cocoa, can offer health benefits for people with diabetes when consumed in moderation. Flavonoids in dark chocolate have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and help regulate blood sugar levels. It may also support cardiovascular health by improving blood flow and reducing blood pressure . However, due to its calorie density, excessive consumption can lead to weight gain, which may negatively affect glucose control. Choosing dark chocolate with minimal added sugar maximizes its potential benefits while minimizing drawbacks 

Answer 1

Dark Chocolate seems to have benefits for people with diabetes. The dark chocolate contains flavonoids that reduce oxidative stress. according to https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5699188/ oxidative stress is the main culprit for insulin resistance. The flavonoids come from cocoa plant which is the main ingredient in dark chocolate. The nice thing about dark chocolate too is that it has minimal negative effects. Dark chocolate and cocoa has great nutrients that can be beneficial for both people with and without diabetes and is a great option for reducing the risk of diabetes and also helping diabetics improve insulin sensitivity and regulate blood pressure. https://www.abbott.com/corpnewsroom/diabetes-care/dark-chocolate-and-diabetes.html also supports the claim saying that dark chocolate has a positive effect on insulin sensitivity and blood sugar, which are two very important factors in developing diabetes. This website also states that dark chocolate contains polyphenols which have many positive effects and benefits, most importantly insulin sensitivity which can delay or even prevent diabetes. Another website that I was looking at was https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/diet/why-dark-chocolate-one-best-desserts-diabetics/ , this website also supported the claim but was more fixated on type 2 diabetes, and it stated that some types of dark chocolate was better than others. The dark chocolate containing high flavonoid concentration had a greater effect of decreasing blood pressure according to a study done by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. This article also said that dark chocolate was beneficial in moderate amounts, specifically saying that trying to keep the carbs around 15 to 30 grams is the most beneficial.

Answer 2

Yes, dark chocolate can be beneficial for people with diabetes, specifically people with type 2 diabetes. With any chocolate, a moderate consumption can be beneficial in preventing diabetes, but dark chocolate is much more significant in prevention where in a Harvard Study 21% of participants reduced risk of diabetes with regular dark chocolate consumption. There are also lasting health benefits with diagnosed individuals. Especially Chocolate with over 70% coca, the natural polyphenols are significant in offsetting weight gain with someone with diabetes.

https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/eating-dark-chocolate-linked-with-reduced-risk-of-type-2-diabetes/#:~:text=By%20the%20end%20of%20the,Departments%20of%20Nutrition%20and%20Epidemiology.

Answer 3

Hi there, after reviewing the research, this turns out to be true. Chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, can help people with type 2 diabetes and may even help prevent it from starting. Dark chocolate, like many other nutrient-rich foods, provides compounds our bodies need. An article from the University of Kentucky notes that chocolate can reduce oxidative stress and slow the progression toward type 2 diabetes. A Harvard study also found that dark chocolate is especially high in polyphenols, plant compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, the American Heart Association reports that certain antioxidants are linked to a lower risk of insulin resistance and heart disease.

https://www.heart.org/en/news/2019/02/12/are-there-health-benefits-from-chocolate

https://uknowledge.uky.edu/internalmedicine_facpub/122/

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

Answer 4

The claim that dark chocolate can be beneficial for people with diabetes is true. According to the American Diabetes Organization dark chocolate is made up of 70% cocoa making the grams of sugar per serving less than other chocolates like milk or white chocolate. Dark chocolate isn't just lower on sugar but it's also more beneficial. “Dark chocolate had an even bigger impact: Participants who consumed at least five servings of this chocolate per week showed a 21% lower risk of T2D” (Browstein). According to The National Library of Medicine, effects of cocoa polyphenols reduced the chances of type 2 diabetes. 

https://diabetesfoodhub.org/blog/can-people-diabetes-eat-chocolate

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

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

Answer 5

The claim "Dark Chocolate can be beneficial for people with diabetes" is true, and there is a lot of evidence and findings to back it up.

According to an Abbott news article, "Dark Chocolate contains polyphenols..." which "...may improve insulin sensitivity, or how well insulin works in the body". This is because polyphenols contain antioxidants in them that are protectors of the body when it comes into contact with dangerous molecules. Instead of making a diabetic's blood sugar heighten significantly, the dark chocolate is actually helpful.

In another piece by PubMed Central, it explains how "the vasodilatory effects of cocoa can also improve insulin sensitivity mediated by endothelial function". As cocoa is the main ingredient in dark chocolate, this means that eating this chocolate could actually help deal with diabetes as a whole condition. It won't just make someone feel better, but it may actually lessen the severity of their condition over time: "sustained consumption of cocoa over long periods may affect insulin resistance to a greater degree than single doses of cocoa".

Lastly, the Harvard School of Health compared dark and milk chocolate's effects on diabetic patients. They found that even though the chocolate's have "similar levels of calories and saturated fat, it appears that the rich polyphenols in dark chocolate might offset the effects of saturated fat and sugar on weight gain and diabetes". This means that consuming the chocolate may actually reverse some of the symptoms of diabetes, and maybe improve the quality of someone's life.

Answer 6

Dark chocolate can be beneficial for people with diabetes, but there are some things to consider when taking this advice. Most adults with diabetes often try to stay away from chocolate because a lot of it has been found to have high sugar content, however it was shown in a study that “high polyphenol dark chocolate has been shown to mitigate the deleterious effects of hyperglycemia on blood vessel function in people with diabetes” (National Library of Medicine, 2022). Overall, it has been proven to help lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In a study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers found that people who consumed moderate amounts of dark chocolate rich in flavonoids were able to regulate blood sugar more effectively due to improved insulin sensitivity and better blood vessel function. Dark chocolate contains some properties that can help with this. According to the study, “participants who consumed at least five ounces of any type of chocolate per week had a 10% lower risk of T2D compared to those who never or rarely consumed chocolate. Dark chocolate had an even bigger impact: participants who consumed at least five servings of this chocolate per week showed a 21% lower risk of T2D” (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 2023). It is important to consider that not all chocolate is the same. Milk chocolate has less cocoa, and more sugar than dark chocolate. Cocoa in general has been said to contribute to heart health. According to a study published in the journal Heart, “habitual chocolate eaters had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and strokes compared to people who didn’t eat chocolate” (Heart Journal, 2015). 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8832613/ 

https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/12/05/nx-s1-5215929/dark-chocolate-diabetes-diet-blood-pressure 

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