Dark Chocolates May Offer Protection Against Diabetes And Heart Diseases
Very few people can resist a bar of chocolate. The chocolate that you eat most often may have potential to help you avoid risk of developing diabetes and heart diseases. However, dark chocolate has been found as a healthy option compared to normal chocolate. Findings of a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition claimed that eating a 100 g of chocolate (one bar) a day could reduce insulin resistance and improve liver enzymes. However, 100 grams of daily intake of chocolate seems higher than what most of the people would normally eat.
The researches involved in the study examined data collected on 1,153 people aged 18-69 years. These people were part of the Observation of Cardiovascular Risk in Luxembourg study. They evaluated their observations with factors such lifestyle and diet. The research team also took into consideration the simultaneous consumption of tea and coffee because both the drinks are high in polyphenol, which may provide chocolate with its beneficial cardiometabolic effects.
"Given the growing body of evidence, including our own study, cocoa-based products may represent an additional dietary recommendation to improve cardio-metabolic health; however, observational results need to be supported by robust trial evidence," said Saverio Stranges, visiting academic at the University of Warwick Medical School in England.
According to Professor Stranges, this study also
However, people are warned that they should differentiate between the natural product cocoa and the processed product chocolate, which is an energy-dense food. Other thing to consider is effect on weight; people are advised to consider physical activity, diet and other lifestyle factors to avoid detrimental weight gain over time.
A report published in Scientific American revealed, "People who like milk chocolate have slightly different microbes in their intestines than those who prefer their chocolate dark, although researchers do not know why. Significant differences in the so-called microbiome are also found in individuals based on whether or not they eat a lot of fiber or take certain medications—such as the diabetes drug metformin, female hormones or antihistamines."
In one, researchers identified 14 different microbial genera that form the core microbiomes of nearly 4,000 people—mainly from northern Europe. This list provides unprecedented insights into the basics of microbial inheritance and evolution, says researcher Martin Blaser, director of the Human Microbiome Program at New York University, who was not involved in either study. “These are fundamental characteristics of us humans,” he says.
In the second Science study, which focused on residents of the Netherlands, researchers could explain just 19 percent of the microbial variation among individuals—suggesting there are many influences that have not yet been recognized. Both new studies confirmed that antibiotics have powerful effects on the adult microbiome. Similarly, a large study also out today in Cell found the same in young children.
"Fancy eating chocolates every day? You may soon have the recommendation of doctors to indulge a little as researchers have found that a dark chocolate bar daily could reduces the risk of developing diabetes and heart diseases," according to a news report published by Nndia Times.
It was found that those who ate 100 g of chocolate a day -- equivalent to a bar -- had reduced insulin resistance and improved liver enzymes. Insulin sensitivity is a well-established risk factor to cardiovascular disease. The findings were published in the British Journal of Nutrition.
"Given the growing body of evidence, including our own study, cocoa-based products may represent an additional dietary recommendation to improve cardio-metabolic health; however, observational results need to be supported by robust trial evidence," said Saverio Stranges, visiting academic at the University of Warwick Medical School in England.
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ARTICLE CREDITS: NHV
