Summary

A study published in the BMJ found that eating one ounce of dark chocolate five times a week could reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 21%, compared to no or rare chocolate consumption.

The research, based on 25 years of data from 192,000 participants, highlighted differences between chocolate types, with milk chocolate linked to weight gain.

Researchers cautioned that the connection remains controversial and requires further trials.

Rising obesity and poor diets are driving increased diabetes rates globally, with the UK seeing a 39% rise in diagnoses among under-40s in six years.