Daily dose of dark chocolate linked to lower diabetes risk
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- Reviewed by Christopher P. Cannon, MD, Contributor
New research finds that people with a habit of eating dark chocolate - about an ounce a day - were less likely to develop diabetes compared to those who didn't consume it.
For the study, researchers analyzed dietary questionnaire responses and health records from about 192,000 people who were followed for over 30 years. After accounting for the participants' age, exercise levels, and other factors, they found that those who ate at least five ounces of dark chocolate per week had a 21% lower chance of developing diabetes compared with people who rarely or never ate dark chocolate. Those who ate milk chocolate weren't protected against diabetes; in fact, they were more likely to gain weight during the study. Observational studies like this can't prove that a specific food confers a certain health benefit. But compared to milk chocolate, dark chocolate has less sugar but much higher levels of compounds called flavonoids, which studies suggest may improve blood sugar regulation, possibly guarding against diabetes. The study was published Dec. 7, 2024, in The BMJ.
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About the Author
Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
About the Reviewer
Christopher P. Cannon, MD, Contributor
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