What's the Deal with Chocolate and Blood Sugar Levels?

The only thing better than chocolate? Chocolate that doesn’t cause your blood sugar levels to spike, which can result in more cravings and crash later on. The good news is that some kinds of chocolate are much better for your blood sugar levels than others. Keep reading to learn more about how to pick the best chocolate when your blood sugar levels depend on it!

The Best Dark Chocolates

It’s often reported that dark chocolate is healthy, but there’s not a lot of research to back that up. One 2012 study in Diabetes Care looked at dark chocolate consumption on blood sugar levels and found that consuming 70 grams of 85% dark chocolate (about 3 ounces) lowered blood sugar in healthy people. However, it didn’t affect people with type 2 diabetes who also had a high body mass index. It did seem to help lower cholesterol overall though. Additionally, a study from 2008 suggests that cocoa polyphenols—which are found in certain types of chocolates—can significantly improve insulin sensitivity while they reduce inflammation, which could be helpful for diabetics or those at risk for developing diabetes.

Why Dark Chocolate May Help Lower Cholesterol

Our blood sugar levels are determined by how much insulin we secrete. And insulin is usually released in response to carbohydrates. That means that high-carb diets, which cause our blood sugar levels to spike, can over time lead to high blood sugar levels. Dark chocolate (rich in antioxidants) may lower cholesterol because it lowers our blood sugar levels. Because of its low glycemic index, dark chocolate does not cause as much of a spike in your blood sugar level as lighter or milk chocolates do. The result is that you don't have to produce as much insulin when eating dark chocolate as you would if you were eating other kinds of chocolate—so it doesn't significantly affect your blood pressure or triglyceride levels, two markers of heart disease risk.

Other Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

Eating dark chocolate has other health benefits, too. It’s a great source of antioxidants, can help you feel full (and may even help regulate blood sugar levels) in between meals. It’s also loaded with flavonoids—plant compounds that give dark chocolate its bitter flavor—which are linked to positive effects on cholesterol, heart health, blood circulation and more. As an added bonus, eating dark chocolate can reduce your risk for diabetes, improve bone density and even boost brain function. Just be sure to stick with about an ounce per day for women and 1.5 ounces per day for men. A few pieces of dark chocolate each week is a sweet way to improve your overall health!

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder + 1 tablespoon light brown sugar + 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon + 6 ice cubes + 3/4 cup almond milk = one serving Chocolate Cherry Shakeology! Recipe HERE Try using different flavors of Shakeology! Add protein powder & cinnamon instead or use as desert shake after dinner instead dessert... add some ice cream or frozen fruit for added creaminess!

Is Dark Chocolate Better Than Milk Chocolate?

Some chocolates have a higher fat content than others, which can help normalize blood sugar levels (along with antioxidants). Dark chocolate is thought to have additional benefits for diabetes patients because it’s naturally low in sugar. In addition, dark chocolate is high in healthy fats, which are known to help maintain normal blood sugar levels—but keep in mind that dark chocolate also contains caffeine. Caffeine works by increasing insulin sensitivity, but some people find it makes them jittery or unable to sleep.

How To Choose The Best Dark Chocolate For You

The thing about dark chocolate is that not all of it is created equal. While we can’t all agree on whether it’s good for you or not, there are certainly some varieties that are better than others. For example, sugar-free dark chocolate has less sugar than its milk-and-white counterparts, which should help you overcome runaway blood sugar levels.

Where To Buy Good Quality Chocolates

All chocolate is not created equal, so if you’re concerned about your blood sugar levels, you might want to take a closer look at what’s in your candy bar. Avoid chocolates that are marketed as diabetic or low-carb; these are packed with refined carbs and artificial sweeteners.

Twitter Pinterest Quora Tipeee Medium Patreon Buy a Me coffee

Youtube

By