Consumers are certainly buying that message.

Dark chocolate sales have increased almost 50% between 2003 and 2006 with a figure of $1.8 billion being quoted by the research company Mintel.

"It tastes good and at the same time people have the perception that it has added health benefits," said Ms Mogelonsky, a senior analyst with Mintel International.

Confectionery companies are very happy to market chocolate as a health food, but the reality of high fat content means this is far from the truth.

The main brands are;

* Mars CocoaVia
* Lindt 72 percent Cocoa Bar
* Ghirardellis Intense Dark
* Hersheys Extra Dark

Professor J. Blumberg of Tufts University said there is strong scientific evidence of dark chocolates' antioxidant benefits, "but it is high in fat and calories."

I guess if you are a regular chocolate eater, then to switch to dark sounds like it might be a good idea, but I am not seeing any reports that it is impacting light chocolate sales. So the net effect of this 'Health' marketing is that we are all eating more calories, that's just what we need !