Hey all you chocolate lovers out there, this study is for you. We already know that dark chocolate is associated with decreasing blood pressure and increasing insulin sensitivity (1). Mellor and colleagues looked at the role of dark chocolate on HDL cholesterol. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover study, 12 individuals with Type 2 diabetes were given 45 grams of chocolate with or without a high polyphenol (dark chocolate) content for 8 weeks. The authors found a significant increase in the HDL level in the high polyphenol group.
Now my problems with the study were that it’s a very small sample size. Although the weight and glycemic control were not altered, I would be reluctant to have my patients eat 45 grams of chocolate a day. I asked some of my chocolate lover friends and apparently 45 grams is not that much at all. As I always say, everything in moderation and now you can add a little chocolate to the mix.
Reference:
1. Grassi D, Lippi C, Necozione S, Desideri G, Ferri C. Shortterm administration of dark chocolate is followed by a significant increase in insulin sensitivity and a decrease in blood pressure in healthy persons. Am J Clin Nutr 2005; 81: 611–614.

2. Mellor DD, Sathyapalan T, Kilpatrick ES, et al. High-cocoa polyphenol-rich chocolate improves HDL cholesterol in Type 2 diabetes patients. Diabetic Medicine 2010;27(11): 1318-21.