People could be missing out on certain health perks by avoiding a certain kind of chocolate. Despite its reported benefits, experts have been keen to stress that it needs to be taken in moderation to avoid weight gain and other complications that could end out outweighing the benefits.

Dell Stanford, a qualified nutritionist with 15 years of experience, told the British Heart Foundation that dark chocolate is "often seen as a healthier choice" compared to milk or white varieties, thanks to its elevated cocoa levels. This higher cocoa content is what unlocks specific health advantages, though only when consumed in appropriate portions.

Being more conscious of their intake could help people reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular conditions and lower elevated blood pressure, reports the Express. But, before people tuck into an entire bar from the shops or order a chocolatey pudding when eating out, the findings come with strict rules to get the benefits without facing major drawbacks.

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The increased cocoa concentration in dark chocolate boosts the quantity of flavanols - naturally occurring plant compounds. These flavanols are responsible for giving darker varieties their characteristic sharp flavour that other types simply don't possess.

Dell said: "Flavanols give dark chocolate its slightly bitter taste, and its potential health benefits, such as helping to lower blood pressure and making blood vessels more flexible."

But, maintaining balance is essential to avoid the well-known side effects of chocolate overindulgence. In a piece for the British Heart Foundation's website, Dell highlighted how a 2019 review of observational studies found a link between chocolate intake and lower rates of heart and circulatory conditions, particularly when examining the optimal amount.

The research suggested that consuming roughly 45g of chocolate weekly (equivalent to two to four modest squares) correlated with the most significant – and beneficial – drop in risk. Going beyond this amount could potentially trigger adverse health consequences due to excessive sugar intake.

The subject also came up recently on Greg Foot's Radio 4 podcast, following a listener's revelation that she occasionally has a 90% cocoa dark chocolate bar after learning of its supposed health perks. The expert guest claimed that flavanols are believed to reduce heart disease risk by boosting blood circulation throughout the body, thanks to "more flexible" blood vessels.

The specialist warned that genuine benefits stem from barely processed, high-cocoa chocolate – not the typical sugar-laden bars most folk reach for as an occasional indulgence. He explained: "You can [get enough flavanols from chocolate to make a difference] depending on the type you eat. But, you'd have to eat about four times the daily energy allowance for an adult. You would eat about 10,000kcal a day."

Dark chocolate isn't suitable for everyone, despite its supposed health benefits. When consumed excessively, the hefty calorie, fat, and sugar content can cancel out any possible advantages.

The fat found in dark chocolate stems from cocoa butter, which comprises 50 to 60 per cent saturated fat. Dark chocolate typically packs more saturated fat than its milk counterpart, and overindulging can bump up 'bad' non-HDL cholesterol levels.

Some people may have allergic reactions to components in dark chocolate bars, including milk, soy, nuts, or gluten. Though uncommon, BBC Good Food claims that some people could experience adverse effects from the cacao or cocoa itself.

Dark chocolate harbours caffeine, which needs factoring into the daily 400mg threshold for healthy adults. This proves particularly crucial for expectant mothers, whose daily allowance drops to roughly 200mg.

Many dark chocolate bars contain significant levels of lead and cadmium, which can accumulate in the body. Regular consumption may cause kidney damage, hypertension, and immune system suppression.