Some popular Easter treats could be helping your heart

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Millions of chocolate Easter eggs are set to be devoured this weekend and, while overindulging in the beloved sweet treat is never advisable, choosing the right kind of chocolate could actually bring some surprising health benefits.

Health specialists have shed light on the potential advantages of dark chocolate and its possible effects on your heart, cholesterol and brain function. Dark chocolate typically contains between 35 and 90 per cent cocoa solids, considerably more than other varieties, while also tending to have lower levels of sugar and dairy.

Heart health

It is the elevated cocoa content that gives dark chocolate its edge when it comes to cardiovascular protection. As BHF Senior Dietitian Dell Stanford explained: “Cocoa solids are a good source of flavanols, a type of chemical that naturally occurs in plants.

“Flavanols give dark chocolate its slightly bitter taste, and its potential health benefits such a helping to lower blood pressure and making blood vessels more flexible.”

A 2025 review established that foods containing flavanols, cocoa amongst them, showed potential in reducing the risk of heart and circulatory conditions, as well as helping to bring down high blood pressure. However, commercially produced chocolates tend to contain lower flavanol levels than the cocoa bean products typically used in research studies.

Cocoa nibs boast some of the highest concentrations of flavanols, while milk chocolate contains none at all. Notably, the flavanol content in both milk and dark chocolates can vary considerably and bears little relation to the stated cocoa percentage.

Flavanol levels aren’t typically displayed on packaging, making it virtually impossible to determine how much your preferred chocolate bar contains. In the UK, cocoa-based products can only be labelled ‘rich in flavanols’ if they deliver 200mg daily, a threshold most chocolates simply cannot meet.

It’s also practically unfeasible to obtain all the necessary flavanols from dark chocolate alone, as consuming the required quantity would lead to adverse health consequences from excessive sugar and fat intake.

Brain

The flavanols present in dark chocolate may also enhance oxygen supply, nerve function and blood circulation to the brain. According to ZOE, these flavanols have been associated with increased nerve cell development, particularly within the hippocampus.

Previous research involving rats has indicated that flavanols might shield the brain from deteriorating function and conditions such as dementia, though further studies are required to establish this conclusively.

Cholesterol

Dark chocolate typically contains elevated levels of polyphenols. These compounds can boost ‘good’ cholesterol levels in your body while simultaneously reducing ‘bad’ cholesterol. Nevertheless, according to the BHF, these advantages can be negated if you’re consuming excessive amounts of chocolate due to its sugar and saturated fat content.

Professor Tim Spector from ZOE advises choosing chocolate containing at least 70 per cent cocoa, while remaining cautious of varieties that may appear dark but still harbour high quantities of refined sugar or dairy products.

Great deals are available on garden furniture sets for every occasion, size and budget – from Habitat and IKEA to Dunelm and Argos

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With longer evenings and brighter days firmly upon us, now is an ideal moment to splash out on some new garden furniture. We’ve pulled together nine of the finest discounted lounge sets, dining sets and comfortable chairs to carry you through to the warmer months.

Although it can feel like a considerable outlay, investing in quality garden furniture is genuinely worthwhile. That said, it’s always sensible to make the most of any deals on offer, and a host of retailers from Habitat and Dunelm to IKEA and Wowcher have launched their spring sales.

From Scandi-inspired dining table and chair sets to Mediterranean-style rattan sofas and snug hanging egg chairs, there’s something to suit every garden size and aesthetic, reports the Mirror.

Habitat Malta 6 Seater Garden Corner Sofa Set. Was £800 Now £640 (using code GREEN20)

Habitat has truly excelled with their garden furniture range this year, delivering seriously stylish pieces without the eye-watering price tag, and this garden corner sofa set is no different.

Wowcher Acorn Dove Grey Rattan Garden Lounge Sofa Set. Was £449 Now £299

Rattan never goes out of fashion and is a wonderful way to introduce a Mediterranean vibe to your outdoor space. This grey rattan set from Wowcher is currently slashed by nearly £200, with both 5 and 10-seater options to choose from.

Argos Home Sicily 6 Seater Metal Patio Set. Was £230 Now £184 (using code GREEN20)

If you enjoy throwing an outdoor dinner party, this 6-seater patio set ought to be near the top of your garden shopping list. The chairs are stackable, making storage incredibly straightforward when you require the additional space.

OUTSUNNY 4 Piece Garden Furniture Set with Cushions Coffee Table. Was £648.99 Now £248.20

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Among the finest garden bargains we’ve spotted thus far comes from Debenhams. They’ve reduced prices on numerous sets, including this 4-piece collection from OUTSUNNY. The black metal framework gives it a considerably more premium appearance than its now-under-£300 price point would indicate.

Abdul Metal 2 – Person Seating Group with Cushions. Was £668.99 Now £599.99

Keen to establish the ideal relaxation spot in your garden? Then this 2-person outdoor collection is the answer. Constructed from a lightweight aluminium framework, this pair is incredibly simple to relocate around the garden, whether you wish to be in the sunshine or shade.

Dunelm Singapore Double Egg Chair. Was £399 Now £299

Dunelm hasn’t got many reductions on garden furniture collections, but they have cut £100 from this double egg chair. If you’re limited on space, this is an excellent substitute for a large 4 or 6-seater collection.

IKEA JUTHOLMEN 4-seat conversation set. Was £429 Now £373 (until 24th May with IKEA Family membership)

If you possess an IKEA Family membership, this is the moment to utilise it. The Scandinavian homeware retailer has reduced prices on dozens of furniture pieces, including several garden collections like this 4-seater option.

Miacomet Modular PE Rattan Garden Sofa Set and Table. Was £1,464.97 Now £670

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Wayfair is currently offering substantial spring discounts, and the reduction on this modular rattan garden set is simply too impressive to overlook. Slashing nearly £1000 from the original price tag, this collection is ideal for warm days spent outdoors.

Habitat Scandi 6 Seater Metal Patio Set. Was £500 Now £400 (using code GREEN20)

For those seeking to add a splash of colour to their outdoor area, this Scandi-influenced green metal patio set from Habitat is the ideal solution. Understated, stylish and vibrant without being excessively bold.