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 08 September 2008 13:17 BST

Women wanted to eat chocolate in diabetes trial

Monday, 28 Apr 2008 11:32
Chocolate study: Women volunteers sought
Women volunteers are being sought to participate in a trial to discover the health benefits of chocolate for diabetes sufferers.

UK researchers are attempting to determine whether compounds found in cocoa can prevent the increased risk of heart disease associated with diabetes.

The University of East Anglia (UEA) is looking for 150 postmenopausal women who have type 2 diabetes to volunteer to eat a bar of special Belgian chocolate every day during the trial's duration.

Click here to check if you are eligible for the test

Foods rich with cocoa and soy contain a compound called flavonoids which can provide protection from diabetes.

The chocolate involved in the trial has been designed to minimise the destruction of the compounds which usually takes place during the chocolate-making process.

Professor Aedin Cassidy, lead researcher and professor of diet and health at UEA, said: "Despite postmenopausal women being at a similar risk to men for developing cardiovascular disease, to date they are under-represented in clinical trials."

According to Diabetes UK, which is sponsoring the research, older women with diabetes are five times more likely to develop heart disease than women without diabetes.

The charity hopes the trial will pave the way for a larger clinical study to examine the subject in more detail.

"We certainly don't advise people to start eating a lot of chocolate as it's very high in sugar and fat," cautioned Diabetes UK director of research Dr Iain Frame.

"We would always recommend that people with diabetes eat a diet low in fat, salt and sugar with plenty of fruit and vegetables."

To find out more about the trial or to volunteer telephone 01603 288570 and ask for study nurse Andrea Brown or study coordinator or Dr Peter Curtis email flavo@uea.ac.uk.End of story


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