A new study has revealed a secret ingredient may help lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. New research published in the British Medical Journal revealed consuming at least five small servings of dark chocolate each week could lower the risk by 21%.
Flavonoids, natural compounds in cocoa, are the key. They have powerful antioxidant properties that help protect cells from damage.
The study’s lead author tells Straight Arrow News the potential of flavonoid-rich foods, like dark chocolate, to improve long-term health when eaten in moderation.
However, there are a few things to consider. The recommended serving size is just one ounce and must be dark chocolate. Milk chocolate doesn’t deliver the same benefits.
In fact, milk chocolate can lead to weight gain. It’s a key risk factor for type 2 diabetes, due to it containing less coca than dark chocolate.
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The study’s publication comes at a time when the amount of people diagnosed with diabetes is expected to go up. A Global Burden of Diseases study projects the number of diabetes cases to rise from 529 million in 2021 to 1.3 billion by 2050.
While this research focused primarily on non-Hispanic white adults over 50, it underscores how small dietary changes can significantly impact health outcomes.
So, for those planning a “new year, new you” health kick, indulging in some dark chocolate might be a sweet way to start. Just remember: Moderation is key.
[Kennedy Felton]
YOUR FAVORITE TREAT MIGHT JUST BE THE KEY TO BETTER HEALTH… AND HAPPINESS!
[SOT]
“They’re selling chocolates.”
“Chocolate? What?”
“Yeah!”
“What are they selling?”
“Chocolates!”
[Kennedy]
LOOKS LIKE SPONGEBOB AND PATRICK MIGHT’VE BEEN ONTO SOMETHING.
NEW RESEARCH SHOWS EATING COCOA-RICH DARK CHOCOLATE PACKS MORE HEALTH BENEFITS THAN WE REALIZED.
WE’VE HEARD IT CAN LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE AND REDUCE THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE – BUT THIS STUDY TAKES IT A STEP FURTHER.
PUBLISHED IN THE BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL… THE STUDY SHOWS EATING AT LEAST FIVE SMALL SERVINGS OF DARK CHOCOLATE A WEEK COULD LOWER YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING TYPE TWO DIABETES BY 21 PERCENT.
THAT’S PRETTY SWEET, RIGHT?
BUT BEFORE YOU RUSH TO YOUR PANTRY TO DEVOUR AN ENTIRE CHOCOLATE BAR… HERE’S THE CATCH –
THE STUDY SAYS A STANDARD SERVING SIZE IS AROUND ONE OUNCE.
IT ALSO *HAS TO BE DARK CHOCOLATE.WHY? THE LEAD AUTHOR OF THE STUDY TELLS STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS FLAVANOID-RICH FOODS LIKE DARK CHOCOLATE CAN ALSO BE A GREAT ADDITION TO A BALANCED DIET IN MODERATION.
FLAVANOIDS ARE NATURAL COMPOUNDS FOUND IN COCOA WITH POWERFUL ANTIOXIDANTS THAT HELP PROTECT YOUR CELLS AGAINST DAMAGE.
THE LEAD AUTHOR OF THE STUDY TELLS C-N-N DARK AND MILK CHOCOLATE ACTUALLY HAVE SIMILAR LEVELS OF ADDED SUGAR, FAT, AND CALORIES.
BUT UNLIKE DARK CHOCOLATE… MILK CHOCOLATE CAN ACTUALLY *INCREASE WEIGHT GAIN… WHICH IS A FACTOR IN DEVELOPING TYPE TWO DIABETES.
AND THE NEED TO ACT IS SIGNIFICANT.
ACCORDING TO A Global Burden of Diseases STUDY… THE NUMBER OF DIABETES CASES COULD MORE THAN DOUBLE… RISING FROM 529-MILLION IN 20-21 TO 1-POINT-3 *BILLION BY 20-50.
THE STUDY FOCUSED MAINLY ON NON-HISPANIC WHITE ADULTS OVER 50 AT THE BASELINE… WHICH MEANS THESE FINDINGS MAY NOT FULLY APPLY TO OTHER POPULATIONS WITH DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS.
SO IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO KICKSTART YOUR “NEW YEAR, NEW YOU” PLAN… GO AHEAD AND INDULGE IN SOME DARK CHOCOLATE.
JUST MAKE SURE TO DO SO… IN MODERATION.
with SAN, I’M KENNEDY FELTON.
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