Use of dark chocolate for diabetic patients: a review of the literature and current evidence

Abstract

Dietary changes are a major lifestyle factor that can influence the progression of chronic diseases such as diabetes. Recently, flavanols, a subgroup of plant-derived phytochemicals called flavonoids, have gained increasing attention, due to studies showing an inverse correlation between dietary intake of flavanols and incidence of diabetes. Flavanoids in the cocoa plant may ameliorate insulin resistance by improving endothelial function, altering glucose metabolism, and reducing oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has been proposed as the main culprit for insulin resistance. The well-established effects of cocoa on endothelial function also points to a possible effect on insulin sensitivity. The relationship between insulin resistance and endothelial function is a reciprocal one. Overall, the evidence from these studies suggests that cocoa may be useful in slowing the progression to type 2 diabetes and ameliorating insulin resistance in metabolic syndrome. Additionally, results from several small studies indicate that cocoa may also have therapeutic potential in preventing cardiovascular complications in diabetic patients. Studies highlighting the potential of cocoa-containing diets, in large-randomized controlled trials should be performed which might give us a better opportunity to analyze the potential health-care benefit for reducing the risk of complications in diabetic patients at molecular level.

Dietary Cocoa Prevents Aortic Remodeling and Vascular Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Rats

“…Altogether, our results indicate that cocoa intake prevented increased blood pressure and aortic stiffness in ZDF diabetic animals. This vascular protective effect of cocoa has also been demonstrated in similar experimental models of cardiovascular risk such as hypertension and supported several small interventional studies suggesting that cocoa may also have therapeutic potential in preventing cardiovascular complications in diabetic patients …”

“…Altogether, these interesting novel findings reveal the beneficial effect of cocoa intake in improving vascular structural changes and remodeling in ZDF rats. Although, interventional studies evaluating the consumption of cocoa products in T2D patients are very limited, results from some small human studies have also showed a protective effect of cocoa intake on vascular function . Therefore, additional clinical trials in individuals with diabetes are needed in order to clarify the potential of cocoa to reduce the risk of vascular complications in diabetics.…”

Right ventricular dysplasia: management and treatment in light of current evidence

“…Combined endocardial–epicardial VT ablation has had significant short- and long-term success rates compared to endocardial VT ablation alone [22,49]. VT recurrence following VT ablation could be explained by the patchy nature of ARVC; hence, development of new arrhythmic foci is not infrequent [32,50,51]. Therefore, RFA is currently not recommended as stand-alone therapy or as an alternative to ICD for ARVC patients due the progressive nature of ARVC (class III) [22].…”

Ingestion of Lycosome L-tug Formulation of Dark Chocolate Ameliorates Postprandial Hyperlipidemia and Hyperglycemia in Healthy Volunteers

“…The medicinal properties of dark chocolate (DC) and other foodstuffs derived from Theobroma cacao were first noted centuries ago dating back to the time of Christopher Columbus whose expeditions first brought cocoa to Europe and introduced DC into European culinary culture [1, 2]. Amelioration of fatigue, indigestion, and other gastrointestinal disorders were attributed to the potential medicinal benefits associated with regular consumption of DC [1].…”