Scientists have claimed that eating a few pieces of dark chocolate five times a week while avoiding milk chocolate reduces the risk of type 2. Diabetes.
The relationship between chocolate consumption and Type 2 diabetes The risk is “controversial,” according to the researchers, although they highlight that most previous studies did not explore differences between types of chocolate.
These subtypes – black, milk and white – have different levels. Cocosugar and milk, which “may influence the association with type 2 diabetes risk”, he added.
For the study, the team used data from three long-term studies of nurses and health care workers in the United States.
An analysis of food frequency questionnaires taken every four years examined the relationship between type 2 diabetes and total chocolate consumption in 192,028 people and the type of chocolate – dark or milk – in 11,654 people.
The average follow-up period was 25 years.
In the group whose total chocolate intake was analyzed, about 18,862 people developed type 2 diabetes, which occurs when the body doesn’t use insulin properly, leading to high blood sugar.
Researchers found that people who ate a one-ounce serving, or 28.3 grams, at least five times a week were 10 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who never or rarely ate chocolate. ditch
In the group analyzed by type of chocolate, about 4,771 people developed type 2 diabetes.
The study found that people who ate one serving of dark chocolate five times a week had a 21 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
However, increased intake of milk chocolate, but not dark, was associated with long-term weight gain.
More trials are needed to confirm the findings, the researchers said, which were published in The BMJ.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2022, approximately 830 million people worldwide will have diabetes.
Dr Lucy Chambers, head of research communication at Diabetes UK, said: “This research adds to the body of evidence relating certain foods and their risk of type 2 diabetes, but it does not show that eating dark chocolate The study of diet is complex and influenced by many different interacting factors.
“Eating more dark chocolate may sound tempting, but, although it can be enjoyed in moderation, we would not recommend it as a strategy to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes based on the current evidence.
“The strongest evidence for reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes lies in helping people with combined interventions, including a balanced diet, physical activity and sustained weight loss, which can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by almost 50% in some people. can be effective in reducing