Checking in a square of dark chocolate has never seemed so reassuring. According to a recent American study, this sweetness could play an unexpected role in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. This is what researchers from Harvard University reveal, who followed the food habits of more than 300,000 participants for more than two decades.
Dark chocolate is clearly distinguished
For almost 25 years, researchers have analyzed the differentiated effects of chocolate types: black, milk and white. A portion of 28.3 grams of dark chocolate, consumed at least five times a week, seems to be associated with a lower risk of developing a type 2. diabetes. The results are as surprising as they are attractive: those who consumed dark chocolate five times a week saw their risk of developing a reduced diabetes of 10 % compared to those who never ate or rarely. But beware, not all chocolates are equal …
The most striking observations of the study reveal that:
- Large consumers of dark chocolate had a reduced risk of 10 % of developing type 2 diabetes;
- This benefit is not found in consumers of milk chocolate;
- On the contrary, regular consumption of milk chocolate was correlated with a weight gain.
The researchers advance a biochemical track: the richness in flavanols of dark chocolate, a compound that is also found in certain fruits and vegetables, could improve cardiovascular health and insulin sensitivity. So far, studies on the subject lacked clarity, largely because they did not distinguish the types of chocolate. However, according to the authors, the differences in cocoa, sugar and milk “content”can influence the association“.
A real effect, but to be put into perspective
Even if these results can make lovers of dark chocolate salivate, they should not make us forget the importance of other preventive measures.
Dr. Lucy Chambers, from the British organization Diabetes UK, recalls the necessary prudence in the face of this type of results. “”Eating more dark chocolate may seem attractive, but even if it can be appreciated in moderation, we do not recommend it as a strategy to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes“.
The authors themselves emphasize that this association does not mean that dark chocolate is a miracle remedy. The study is observational, and does not prove a direct causal link. But it opens the way to future research on the specific effects of flavanols in daily diet.