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Columnist and Health

Dark chocolate is rich in flavanols. Does that make it a health food?

Antioxidants like cocoa flavanols may benefit heart health, brain ageing and the microbiome. Columnist Alexandra Thompson investigates whether it’s time to rethink chocolate

By Alexandra Thompson

29 May 2025

Dark chocolate is high in antioxidant compounds

Gabi Musat/500px/Getty Images

When in the depths of a YouTube rabbit hole, I find myself watching celebrity food diaries. After a day of avocadoes and green juices, the end-of-day treat is often a few squares of dark chocolate, and social media is awash with claims that the stuff can enhance the health of our heart, brain and gut microbiome. This is somewhat supported by studies that hint at some beneficial effects – but are we collectively engaging in wishful thinking, or should we all be looking at how to consume more of the…

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