Anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I have a sweet tooth. I love a dessert. My evening meal doesn’t feel complete without something sweet at the end; I only really feel satisfied once I’ve had pud.

Most nights, I’ll have some dark chocolate, peanut butter-stuffed dates or a cookie and vegan ice cream – all of which are delicious and satiating options.

But in a world where desserts are labelled ‘indulgent’ and framed as an opportunity to derail from a ‘healthy’ diet, it’s no wonder we’ve been fed the idea (if you’ll excuse the pun) that they should be resisted or avoided altogether.

4 surprising benefits of eating dessert regularly, from extra nutrients to better social connections