Cocoa and chocolate for cardiometabolic health in type 2 diabetes Original paper

Evidence from clinical trials suggests that the consumption of cocoa and cocoa products may improve some markers of cardiometabolic health. However, these potential beneficial effects have been studied mostly in healthy individuals. What are the effects of cocoa products on cardiometabolic health markers in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D)?

This meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials looked at the effects of cocoa products, compared to placebo, on cardiometabolic health markers in adults with T2D.

The cardiometabolic health markers were blood lipids (total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides), markers of glycemic control (blood glucose, insulin, glycated hemoglobin, and insulin resistance), blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), and C-reactive protein (a biomarker of inflammation). Of the 12 trials, 9 looked at the long-term (4–52 weeks) effects and 3 looked at the acute effects (3–6 hours) of cocoa products on the aforementioned outcomes.

The types of cocoa products were cocoa powder (6 trials) and high-polyphenol chocolate or dark chocolate (6 trials). The dose of cocoa powder ranged from 3.2 to 54 grams per day, and the dose of high-polyphenol chocolate or dark chocolate ranged from 13.5 to 45 grams per day.