Eating Dark Chocolate Lowers Type 2 Diabetes Risk, Study Finds

A new study suggests that regularly consuming dark chocolate can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, while milk and white chocolate do not offer the same benefit. Researchers analyzed data from three long-term studies on healthcare workers in the US and found that eating five one-ounce pieces of dark chocolate per week could reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 21%. Milk chocolate eaters, on the other hand, had an increased risk of weight gain, which is a contributing factor to the development of diabetes.

One possible explanation for the link between dark chocolate and decreased diabetes risk is the high levels of cacao present in dark chocolate. The bioactive compounds in cacao, known as flavanols, have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce oxidative stress and inflammation - all factors in the development of diabetes. With the number of people affected by type 2 diabetes projected to continue rising, adopting a plant-based diet, like the one that reportedly helped New York Mayor Eric Adams reverse his type 2 diabetes, may offer further protection against the disease.