A new study finds that eating dark chocolate may help protect you from type 2 diabetes. According to scientists at Harvard University in Boston, US, people who ate three pieces of a large bar five times a week were at least 21 percent less likely to develop the debilitating condition.

However, people who regularly eat milk chocolate rich in fat and sugar tend to gain weight, putting them at increased risk of high blood sugar levels.

According to experts, type 2 diabetes is often triggered by a diet rich in junk food and sugar. Statistics say that more than 462 million people worldwide have this condition, which eventually leads to other health problems as well.

How does dark chocolate help keep diabetes away?

Harvard scientists say the high concentration of antioxidants from the cocoa beans in dark chocolate helps your body absorb sugar from the blood, and “balances the effects of saturated fat and sugar on weight gain and diabetes.”

Neither milk nor white chocolate contains enough cocoa to do this. For the study, researchers examined the food and health records of more than 190,000 people over a period of 30 years.

Doctors say they suggest people eat a balanced diet, get physical activity and pursue consistent weight loss instead of dark chocolate as a way to reduce the risk of developing type 2.

Other ways to reduce your chances of developing type 2 diabetes

According to doctors, progressing from prediabetes to diabetes is not inevitable and even though you cannot change certain factors like your genes or age, several modifications in lifestyle and diet can reduce your risk. Some ways are:

reduce carbohydrate intake

Doctors say it’s important to consider the quantity and quality of your carb intake because your body breaks down carbs into smaller sugar molecules, which are absorbed into your bloodstream. The resulting increase in blood sugar stimulates your pancreas to produce insulin, which helps sugar move from your bloodstream into your cells.

drink lots of water

Make sure you take water as your primary drink without any preservatives or sugars. Other beverages, such as soda and sweetened fruit juices, have been linked to an increased risk of both type 2 diabetes and latent autoimmune diabetes in adults.

lose excess weight

Obesity and weight gain are major factors in increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes. According to experts, visceral fat – excess weight in your abdominal area – is linked to insulin resistance, inflammation, prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

quit smoking

Smoking causes and contributes to many serious health conditions, including heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung and bowel cancers.

However, studies also say it is linked to type 2 diabetes, as smoking can increase insulin resistance and inhibit insulin secretion.

eat a high fiber diet

It’s important to eat plenty of fiber, which is beneficial for gut health and weight management. It also prevents diabetes.

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