Dark chocolate is not as healthy as you think (but you should enjoy it anyway)

Who hasn't clicked on an attention grabbing headline espousing the benefits of dark chocolate consumption, then catalogued it as mental evidence of your pursuit of wellness next time you cracked off a row or three?

Milk and white chocolate are now firmly out-of-favour with the health-seeking set, seen as sugar-laden "sometimes" foods that provide little benefit other than thatmouth feel.

Dark chocolate, though, is a different story. 

Thanks to pervasive "cocoa is good for you" headlines, we now practically congratulate ourselves for eating chocolate, believing its potent flavonoids and magnesium is probably doing our heart and broader health a world of good. 

From preventing blood clotting to reducing blood pressure to potentially preventing heart attacks and strokes, it's comforting to know that chocolate could be as helpful as it is delicious. 

But before you feel all super-fooded by your 70 percent-plus dark chocolate choice, it's worth bearing in mind that the chocolate industry has poured millions into research into cocoa's health benefits to convince you it's a health food.

And while that doesn't mean that there aren't antioxidants in dark chocolate, dietitians say it's hardly a tonic. 

So should we keep consuming chocolate? Of course! Just don't do it for the health benefits – do it for that decadent taste.  

"We all love chocolate and yes dark chocolate does have some flavonoids — but it's very calorie-dense," Jane Freeman, accredited practising dietitian and Dietitians Association of Australia spokesperson, tells Coach.

"If you're really serious about boosting heart health, it's much more beneficial to focus on eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds and lean meats, then enjoy chocolate as a treat food."

Freeman says that in order to get enough of the heart-healthy antioxidants in chocolate, you'd need to eat up to 100g, which brings with it a fair whack of calories largely via ingredients like butterfat and sugar.

"[If you love chocolate], enjoy it as an occasional treat food and a serve is probably a row of chocolate," Freeman says.

In order to really maximise your nutrition while enjoying your chocolate, she  suggests combining it with another food so you're filled up and your chocolate craving is satisfied.

"Drizzle it on some lovely fresh strawberries or have a hot chocolate with skim milk so you get some protein and calcium and a few more nutrients."