By michael - January, 20th 2014

It sounds like the ingredient list for an indulgent dessert. But red wine, chocolate and strawberries are more than a guilty pleasure. They could all help guard against diabetes.

Good news for chocolate and wine lovers. New research suggests that consuming high levels of flavonoids, found in foods such as chocolate, tea, berries and wine, may help protect against type 2 diabetes. This is according to a study recently published inThe Journal of Nutrition.

Investigators from Kings College London and the University of East Anglia, both in the UK, say their research shows that a high intake of these dietary compounds is linked to reduced insulin resistance and improved glucose regulation.

Type 2 diabetes – the most common form of diabetes – is caused by insulin resistance. This means the body is unable to use insulin properly, which can lead to abnormal blood glucose levels.

To reach their findings, the research team analyzed 1,997 female volunteers aged between 18 and 76 years from TwinsUK – the largest UK twin registry used for research into genetics, the environment and common diseases.

All women completed a food …

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