Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Extraction and Analysis of Taiwanese Green Propolis
Published on: January 7, 2019
High-cocoa polyphenol-rich chocolate improves HDL cholesterol in Type 2 diabetes patients
D D Mellor1, T Sathyapalan, E S Kilpatrick
1HONEI, University of Hull, Hull, UK.
Aim:
To examine the effects of chocolate on lipid profiles, weight and glycaemic control in individuals with Type 2 diabetes.
Methods:
Twelve individuals with Type 2 diabetes on stable medication were enrolled in a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind crossover study. Subjects were randomized to 45 g chocolate with or without a high polyphenol content for 8 weeks and then crossed over after a 4-week washout period. Changes in weight, glycaemic control, lipid profile and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were measured at the beginning and at the end of each intervention.
Results:
HDL cholesterol increased significantly with high polyphenol chocolate (1.16 ± 0.08 vs. 1.26 ± 0.08 mmol/l, P = 0.05) with a decrease in the total cholesterol: HDL ratio (4.4 ± 0.4 vs. 4.1 ± 0.4 mmol/l, P = 0.04). No changes were seen with the low polyphenol chocolate in any parameters. Over the course of 16 weeks of daily chocolate consumption neither weight nor glycaemic control altered from baseline.
Conclusion:
High polyphenol chocolate is effective in improving the atherosclerotic cholesterol profile in patients with diabetes by increasing HDL cholesterol and improving the cholesterol:HDL ratio without affecting weight, inflammatory markers, insulin resistance or glycaemic control.
Related Concept Videos
Carbohydrate Metabolism
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in the...
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Type II Diabetes Mellitus III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis
Type II Diabetes I: Introduction
Atherosclerosis III: Management
Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology