The very mention of the word chocolate activates the sweet tooth in many of us. Yet, for diabetics, it serves as a delicacy that has to be kept to a bare minimum, or completely eliminated altogether. But is this kind of extreme policing really necessary? Some say no.
While regular chocolate isn't really the healthy food option many of us would like to believe it is, there is considerable research backing up the positive effects dark chocolate can have on your body. Dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids, the same heart-healthy component found in red wine. This type of flavonoid comes from the high percentage of cocoa. That's why white chocolate or regular chocolate do not contain such extreme levels of flavonoids - no high cocoa content.
Eat only dark chocolate, not milk or white chocolate. Consuming brands containing at least 60 percent cacao (the base product from which chocolate is made), means you are giving your body the benefit of powerful heart-healthy antioxidants. Do you know white chocolate isn't even chocolate... it's fat.
Whilst dark chocolate is delicious, this melt-in-your-mouth luxury is capable of reducing your risk for heart attack and lowers your blood sugar level also.
Doctors have found that consuming a healthy helping of the "sweet stuff" improves blood sugar metabolism. The key word here being "healthy". Unfortunately, this is not one of those situations where the more you eat, the better the result. As with anything pertaining to a person with Type 2 diabetes, it all comes down to moderation.
But the positive effects are not only limited to diagnosed Type 2 diabetics. It appears consuming small amounts of dark chocolate is also great for:
- lowering blood pressure, and
- improving insulin sensitivity.
Since insulin sensitivity is one of the key factors in developing Type 2 diabetes, eliminating this risk factor means a much lower odds of developing the disease.
Dark chocolate has been linked to lowering blood pressure. Again, this is good for the heart, which in turn means good news for people with Type 2 diabetes. Since heart complications are a major contributor to diabetes-related deaths, finding something that helps to beat those odds is always something to celebrate. If that treatment involves the word "chocolate", then its even better.
Compounds that are rich in antioxidants also translates into higher insulin sensitivity. This is even more good news for diabetics. Dark chocolate has the ability to:
- increase blood flow by increasing the production of nitric oxide, which causes arteries to relax,
- significantly decrease blood pressure,
- help the cardiovascular system,
- improve the level of HDL or "good" cholesterol
- help process glucose and keep blood sugar levels stable,
- improve the sensitivity of insulin.
This means dark chocolate can emerge as a wonder food that is also pleasing to eat. No matter if it is for baking, garnish on treats or simply a snack, it seems dark chocolate is a truly guilty pleasure.
In view of the above, I think people with or without Type 2 diabetes could quite easily justify one square of dark chocolate each day!
To discover answers to questions you may be asking yourself about Type 2 Diabetes, click on this link... Natural Diabetes Treatments.
Clicking on this link will help you to learn more about Type 2 Diabetes Solutions... Beverleigh Piepers RN... the Diabetes Detective.
Beverleigh Piepers is the author of this article. This article can be used for reprint on your website provided all the links in the article are complete and active. Copyright (c) 2010 - All Rights Reserved Worldwide
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