Is dark chocolate healthy? Benefits, risks and how much to eat

Let’s not overstate the benefits. Yes, it has more helpful compounds than milk chocolate – but it’s not a health food.

“It’s still a ‘treat’ food and can be high in calories and saturated fat, so I would view it as a healthier choice than milk chocolate rather than a health food in its own right,” says Ludlam-Raine.

“The challenge is that flavanol content varies enormously between chocolate products and is rarely declared on packaging.

“In practical terms, a small portion of high-cocoa dark chocolate, such as 20–30g, can fit into a healthy diet, but there is no universally agreed amount that guarantees health benefits.”