The risk of diabetes can be reduced with dark chocolate in the daily diet, a study has found

Is chocolate the new health food?

Well, not really – but in what might seem like a surprising result, a new study has found that eating dark chocolate every day can reduce the risk of developing diabetes.

The study, led by the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, looked at more than 111,000 participants from three major groups, none of whom had diabetes, heart disease or cancer.

Participants self-reported dark chocolate consumption and diabetes status.

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Those who ate five or more servings weekly of any type of chocolate showed a 10% lower rate of type 2 diabetes compared to those who never or rarely ate it, according to research findings in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).

Among those who ate five or more servings of dark chocolate, the risk of diabetes was 21% lower.

With a weekly serving of dark chocolate, the risk was reduced by 3%.

Binkai Liu, a Harvard doctoral student who led the study, noted that research shows that foods rich in flavonoids, such as dark chocolate, may have potential metabolic benefits.

The type of chocolate is important

“It’s important to note that the type of chocolate is important, as milk chocolate doesn’t show the same benefits,” Liu told Fox News Digital.

The big difference between dark and milk chocolate surprised the researcher.

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“Dark chocolate has been shown to provide protective effects against type 2 diabetes, possibly due to its high cocoa content and flavonoid levels, while milk chocolate – with added sugar and low cocoa content – appears to contribute to weight gain instead,” he said.

Nutritionists weigh in

Tanya Freirich, registered dietitian at Charlotte, North Carolinawho works as a Lupus Dietitian, noted that the flavanols in dark chocolate are key to its benefits, as they are “very anti-inflammatory.”

“I agree that the antioxidant and vasodilation benefits from flavanols can reduce the risk of diabetes,” he told Fox News Digital.

“Dark chocolate has been shown to provide protective effects against type 2 diabetes, possibly due to its high cocoa content and flavonoid levels,” the researcher said. (Stock)

“Antioxidant, antiinflammatory and vasodilation benefits from flavanols help improve our cardiovascular health,” he told Fox News Digital.

“Because diabetes is a metabolic disease, anything that reduces our inflammation will be helpful.”

The flavanols in cocoa can also stimulate the production of nitric oxide, which can help dilate blood vessels and potentially lower blood pressure, according to New Jersey-based registered dietitian Erin Palinski-Wade.

Possible limitations

The study, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health, has some limitations, Liu noted.

He said observational research like this does not establish causation, but only associations.

“Any chocolate, including dark chocolate, is calorie-dense, and can contribute to weight gain if consumed in excess.”

“There’s always the potential for residual confusion, even though we account for a lot of food and lifestyle factors,” she said.

“Furthermore, the study participants were mostly older and non-Hispanic adults, so the findings may not be fully generalizable to a younger and more diverse population.”

“Because diabetes is a disease that affects the whole body, anything that reduces our inflammation will be helpful,” says the expert. (Stock)

Palinski-Wade added that other behaviors can also contribute to reducing risk.

“For example, it’s possible that people who choose dark chocolate already want to reduce added sugar in other areas of their diet and are using dark chocolate to satisfy their sweet tooth versus other types of sweet treats.”

Moderation is key

Based on the study’s findings, Liu would recommend enjoying dark chocolate as an occasional treat, but stressed that moderation is important.

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“Any chocolate, including dark chocolate, is calorie-dense, and can contribute to weight gain if consumed in excess,” it warns.

“The message is about moderation and sensible choices, not overindulgence.”

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Consuming about 1 pound of dark chocolate a few times a week may be a good way to incorporate the treatment into a healthy, nutritious diet, advises Liu.

“It’s also important not to view dark chocolate as a ‘silver bullet,'” he added. “Whole food patterns and lifestyle choices play a huge role in long-term health.”

Consuming as little as dark chocolate a few times a week may be a good way to incorporate therapy into a healthy, nutritious diet, advises the researcher. (Stock)

Freirich agreed, noting that “dark chocolate will not repair the damage of too much fast food, or habits like smoking or a sedentary lifestyle.”

“Overall, you should still aim to eat more unprocessed foods, not too much sugar, too much water, and plant foods like vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds and fruit,” he advises.

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Freirich added that it’s important to discuss your health history and disease risk with a doctor, who can refer you to a registered dietitian for personalized nutrition advice.