Though the evidence that chocolate can benefit heart health is growing, researchers caution that this energy-dense food can contribute to weight gain. A 3.5 oz (100g) bar contains more than 500 calories. There’s no point trying to avoid a heart attack or stroke by eating chocolate if eating it leads to obesity and a correspondingly higher risk of cardiovascular and other diseases.
Many studies have looked at the frequency of chocolate consumption – that is, how often people are consuming it (less than once a week, more than twice a week, daily, and so on). There are clues in the research, however, as to how much chocolate to eat, for the greatest benefit.