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A new study reported by Protv suggests that dark chocolate and similar cocoa products are contaminated with lead and cadmium, two neurotoxic metals that have been linked to cancer, chronic disease, or reproductive and developmental problems.
Rich in phytonutrients like flavonoids, antioxidants and beneficial minerals, dark chocolate has been linked to better cardiovascular health, cognitive performance and reduced chronic inflammation. Lead and Cadmium Found in Chocolate The study analyzed 72 consumer cocoa products to determine levels of lead, cadmium and arsenic. Compared to previous studies that analyzed heavy metals in chocolate over a period of time, the latest study tested products over an eight-year period in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020. The tests were conducted by Consumer Labs, an organization that provides non-profit third-party testing of health and nutrition products. It sends samples to various labs to maximize accuracy.
The researchers found that of the six dozen chocolate products tested during the study, 43% exceeded the maximum allowable lead levels set by California Proposition 65, while 35% exceeded the maximum allowable cadmium levels set by Proposition 65. The study did not find significantly elevated levels of arsenic. The Proposition 65 limit is lower than that set by the federal government. According to the FDA, the maximum allowable lead level in children’s candy is 0.1 parts per million. California Proposition 65 sets the safety standard for chocolate at 0.05 parts per million, about half that level.
Healthy adults who limit their intake shouldn’t be afraid to eat chocolate, said Leigh Frame, the study’s lead author and executive director of the Office of Integrative Medicine and Wellness at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. As naturally occurring elements in the Earth’s crust, heavy metals like lead and cadmium are present in the soil where plants grow, so they can’t be avoided. However, some farmlands and regions have higher levels of the toxic substances than others, due in part to overuse of metal-containing fertilizers and ongoing industrial pollution. However, organic dark chocolate had the highest levels, despite being grown on land with fewer pesticides and other pollutants, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition. The team only examined pure dark chocolate products because they contain the most cocoa, the unprocessed part of the cocoa bean. Candy or brownie products that contain other ingredients were excluded.The study did not reveal the names or manufacturers of the products tested “The average levels of lead and cadmium in the products containing cocoa in the new study were equal to or higher than the average levels of lead and cadmium found by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration,” said Jane Houlihan, national science and health director for Healthy Babies Bright Futures, an advocacy coalition working to reduce infants’ exposure to neurotoxic chemicals. Chocolate should be avoided However, if a person has health problems, is pregnant or has young children, the risk of heavy metal exposure increases, said Tewodros Godebo, assistant professor of environmental geochemistry at the Tulane University School of Health Public and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans. He was the author of a July study that analyzed 155 chocolate samples and found that dark chocolate had elevated levels of cadmium but very little lead. Over time, consuming low levels of cadmium can damage the kidneys. The Environmental Protection Agency considers the metal possibly carcinogenic to humans. “Some people who are sensitive or have poor health, such as those with kidney disease, may not be able to effectively clear metals from their bodies.” Of course, pregnant women who are protecting their babies in the womb are also at greater risk,” said Godber, who was not involved in the new study. Children can absorb about 50% of lead after a meal and up to 100% on an empty stomach, experts say. According to the World Health Organization, there is no safe level of lead, especially for children. “In particular, lead can affect children’s brain development and lead to behavioral changes such as decreased IQ (IQ), shorter attention span, increased antisocial behavior, and decreased educational attainment,” the WHO website states. For healthy adults, however, Godber’s risk analysis found that enjoying a piece of dark chocolate now and then is nothing to worry about.
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