Written by Mervat Rashad
Tuesday, February 14, 2023 05:00 PM
It is often advised Diabetics By limiting their consumption of sweets to help manage blood sugar levels, can chocolate have a place in your diet if you have diabetes? Here’s what you need to know.eatingwell“.
How does chocolate affect blood sugar?
Chocolate is made with cocoa, added sugar, and milk or dairy solids, so eating this food may cause your blood sugar to rise faster than foods with more fiber and protein or less added sugar..
When people with diabetes consume sugar, their bodies have challenges absorbing large amounts of simple carbohydrates, which leads to higher blood sugar levels than required. This can be because the pancreas does not produce insulin (as is the case with type 1 diabetes) or because Cells not responding to insulin to do their job (as is the case with type 2 diabetes) In either case, too much sugar can remain in the bloodstream. Over time, this excessive blood sugar can be linked to health concerns such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease .
“The exact amount of chocolate that can raise your blood sugar depends on the type of chocolate, how much sugar is in it, and what other foods you eat with it,” said nutritionist Mary Ellen Phipps.“.
Most of the health benefits we see attributed to chocolate are for varieties that offer 70 to 85% cocoa, which is considered “dark chocolate,” Phipps explains. These types of chocolate usually contain less sugar. [مضاف] They have more fiber, which is great for promoting stable blood sugar, and they’re also higher in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.”
Cocoa contains polyphenols, or plant compounds, that can benefit human health. Cocoa beans are one of the most popular sources of dietary polyphenols. Cocoa also contains protein, caffeine, and various minerals, including potassium, phosphorus, copper, iron, zinc, and magnesium..
But while dark chocolate may be a “better for you” option due to its higher cocoa content and fewer added sugars, all types of chocolate can provide some nutritional benefits.
Some of the benefits of including dark chocolate in the diet:
Heart health
People with diabetes are twice as likely to suffer from heart disease or stroke than people without diabetes, and eating dark chocolate may offer unique benefits for heart health, mainly thanks to its polyphenol content. Polyphenols play a role in the production of nitric oxide. , a molecule that promotes healthy blood flow, which may lead to lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of heart disease.
Better blood glucose control
While eating chocolate will not be a magic bullet that leads to ideal blood glucose levels, including it as part of a healthy diet may help improve blood glucose control, according to research..
Cocoa may help improve glucose control by slowing the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates in the intestine. Additionally, some evidence suggests that cocoa may improve insulin sensitivity .