When diabetes progresses to the point where physical activity is difficult, cocoa may help turn things around. People with diabetes often have damaged mitochondria in their muscles. Mitochondria are cellular structures that produce most of the cells’ energy. People feel fatigued and short of breath when their muscle mitochondria don’t work well.
A small clinical trial in San Diego, California, has found that epicatechin, a compound in dark chocolate, can help restore
such damaged mitochondria. These results have led to a larger trial to study whether patients’ exercise capacity improves when they’re treated with epicatechin-rich cocoa. In the meantime, add organic, unsweetened cocoa to smoothies, coffee, steel-cut oats, and plain Greek yogurt!
By Jim Healthy
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