Attention, all chocolate lovers: you might need to enjoy your favorite treat in moderation. Researchers have discovered that many cocoa products in the U.S., including dark chocolates, contain toxic heavy metals with higher concentrations in organic products.
After examining 72 consumer cocoa products, including dark chocolate, for contamination with lead, cadmium, arsenic, and other heavy metals, the researchers discovered that 43% of these products had lead levels exceeding the allowable limit, and 35% exceeded the maximum allowable levels for cadmium. However, none of the products exceeded the maximum allowable arsenic levels.
Another striking finding was that organic labeled products showed higher levels of both lead and cadmium compared to non-organic products.
Despite the shocking discovery, the researchers cautioned that their findings do not mean consumers should completely avoid chocolates. For the average consumer, enjoying a single serving of cocoa products does not likely pose significant health risks. However, regularly consuming multiple servings or combining them with other sources of heavy metals could lead to exposures that exceed safe limits.
"Consumers should be aware of potential cumulative exposure risks, particularly with cocoa products labeled organic, as they may have higher heavy metal concentration," the news release stated.
Other foods high in lead and cadmium include shellfish, organ meats, and items grown in contaminated soil or imported from countries with less regulation. Some seaweeds, especially Hijiki seaweed, are also high in cadmium.
Dark chocolate enthusiasts are advised to limit intake to just an ounce a day to balance indulgence with safety. This modest amount helps limit exposure to heavy metals while still allowing you to reap the benefits of dark chocolate, such as improved cardiovascular health, enhanced cognitive performance, and reduced chronic inflammation.
"We all love chocolate but it's important to indulge with moderation as with other foods that contain heavy metals including large fish like tuna and unwashed brown rice. While it's not practical to avoid heavy metals in your food entirely, you must be cautious of what you are eating and how much," said Leigh Frame, who led the study.
The researchers also suggested that since "heavy metal contamination of dark chocolate and other cocoa products is chiefly the result of post-harvesting contamination, better quality control practices during harvesting and manufacturing may help eliminate the problem."
