Don't we just all wish that we can include chocolate in our diets, that we can eat it guilt-free without having to worry about it? Well actually...you can! White chocolate is not as good as it looks, milk chocolate is a little better but for all-out health benefits, aim for a dark chocolate with a minimum of 74% cocoa solids. If it's chocolate-flavoured, unfortunately it doesn't count.

Myth: Chocolate is loaded with saturated fat and is bad for your cholesterol.
Fact: The main saturated fat found in chocolate is called stearic acid, and although that may sound like a bad thing, this type of saturated fat can actually be beneficial. Research has shown that this kind of fatty acid present in your diet can help to raise levels of HDL cholesterol in your blood – or, in other words, the good cholesterol which can help lower blood pressure and ease strain on your heart.

Myth: Chocolate causes cavities.
Fact: The protein, phosphate and calcium contained within the chocolate all contribute to healthy tooth enamel. Chocolate also leaves the mouth quicker than other “sweets”, so the sugars are in contact with the teeth for far less and has less chance of eating into the enamel. Obviously, everyone should be cleaning their teeth on a regular basis so in some ways, it's a bit of a moot point.

Myth: Chocolate causes acne.
Fact: No matter what your grandparents or parents may say, chocolate doesn't lead to acne or bad skin. In fact, diet appears to play no role in acne at all, and it's all down to the oil produced by your skin and the bacteria that live on it.

Myth: Chocolate lacks any nutritional value.
Fact: Chocolate (especially dark chocolate) is a great source of magnesium, iron, copper and zinc, and a smaller source for phosphate, calcium, protein and various phenolic compounds that can help lower your insulin resistance, contribute to a healthy heart and lungs and lower blood pressure.

Myth: Chocolate causes headaches.
Fact: Most people believe chocolate is the cause of their headaches, especially if they have food intolerances. However, the scientific research shows that there is no link between chocolate consumption and the attack of a headache or migraine so munch away.

Myth: Chocolate is high in caffeine.
Fact: While you might think that chocolate “perks you up”, the amount of caffeine it contains is minimal. A 40g piece of chocolate contains the same amount of caffeine as a regular cup of decaffeinated coffee, or about 6mg (and if that seems like a lot, a regular cup of coffee can contain as much as 135mg!).

Myth: Chocolate causes weight gain.
Fact: Chocolate doesn't actually cause weight gain. In any healthy balanced diet, moderation is the key, so if you're eating a lot of it, of course you'll put on weight. However, if you eat it – and this applies to dark chocolate in particular – little and often and exercise intensely regularly, it shouldn't lead to weight gain at all.