Research Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Cocoa supplementation may improve diabetic neuropathy symptoms in type 2 diabetes.

Last updated July 6, 2026

Key finding

In the cocoa group, the TCSS decreased by 2.63 points.

This study investigated the effects of cocoa supplementation on diabetic neuropathy in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. Results indicated no significant differences between cocoa and placebo groups.

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

EvidenceScore™

Moderate

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Medium-Term (3–12 mo)

Risk of bias

Some Concerns

Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.

Plain-language summary

What this paper says

A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.

Study focus

This study investigated the effects of cocoa supplementation on diabetic neuropathy in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. Results indicated no significant differences between cocoa and placebo groups.

Clinical relevance

Understanding the effectiveness of dietary interventions like cocoa supplementation is crucial for managing diabetic neuropathy. If cocoa had shown significant benefits, it could have offered a simple dietary option for patients. However, the lack of significant findings indicates that further research is needed to explore effective treatments for this condition.

Keep in mind

No significant differences were found between groups. Sample size and demographic characteristics were not specified. The study's findings may not be generalizable to all populations with Type 2 Diabetes.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Rebeca K, Gabriela G, Luisa FS, et al. The Effect of Cocoa Supplementation on Diabetic Neuropathy in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025;26(16):8033. doi:10.3390/ijms26168033

Main Effects

The TCSS decreased by 2.63 points in the cocoa group versus 1.84 points in the placebo group (p > 0.05).

The BEST score decreased by 1.45 points in the cocoa group compared to a 2.21 point decrease in the placebo group (p > 0.05).

Quality-of-Life questionnaire scores decreased by 9.2 points in the cocoa group, with no significant difference from the placebo group (p = 0.501).

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Cocoa supplementation and BEST score, Quality of life, Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS).

This study contributes evidence to

Primary intervention

Cocoa supplementation

Primary outcomes

  • BEST score
  • Quality of life
  • Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS)

Evidence relationships

Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.

3
Evidence pairs
3
Relationships
0
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.

Evidence network role

This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 54

0

Related topics

3

Evidence pairs

0

Related studies

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 3 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 0 direct semantic evidence topics

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

BEST score

Cocoa supplementation → BEST score

Cocoa supplementation → BEST score

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Quality of life

Cocoa supplementation → Quality of life

Cocoa supplementation → Quality of life

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS)

Cocoa supplementation → Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS)

Cocoa supplementation → Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS)

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Evidence Library

Build your evidence library

Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.

evidence suggest

Evidence Suggest

  • Cocoa group showed a TCSS decrease of 2.63 points, but not significant.
  • BEST score decreased by 1.45 points in cocoa group, also not significant.
  • Quality-of-Life scores decreased by 9.2 points in cocoa group, with no significant difference.
who this applies

Who this applies to

  • Adults diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.
  • Individuals experiencing diabetic neuropathy symptoms.
keep in mind

Keep in Mind

  • The study did not find significant benefits from cocoa supplementation.
  • Results may not apply to all individuals with Type 2 Diabetes.
  • Further research is needed to explore effective treatments for diabetic neuropathy.
between the lines

Between the Lines

  • No significant differences were found between groups.
  • Sample size and demographic characteristics were not specified.
  • The study's findings may not be generalizable to all populations with Type 2 Diabetes.

Evidence Library

Build your evidence library

Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.

Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

This study contributes to evidence on Cocoa supplementation and BEST score, Cocoa supplementation and Quality of Life Outcomes.

Related evidence relationships

Explore in Evidence Explorer

This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.

Questions answered by this study

Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.

Does Cocoa supplementation improve best score?

Emerging Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Cocoa supplementation for BEST score.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    BEST score

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Aug 2026

Does Cocoa supplementation improve quality of life?

Emerging Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Cocoa supplementation for Quality of life.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Quality of life

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Aug 2026

Does Cocoa supplementation improve toronto clinical scoring system (tcss)?

Emerging Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Cocoa supplementation for Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS).

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS)

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Aug 2026
Learn how Evidence Intelligence™ works

Next steps

Continue your research

Choose a next path through related evidence topics, Evidence Explorer views, and research summaries.

No ads. No tracking.

Focused on evidence, not advertising.

Secure & private

Your data is always protected.

Always up to date

New studies added every day.