The authors suggest that those who enjoy dark chocolate should consider limiting their intake to one ounce per day to remain cautious.
A recent study from George Washington University reveals that a concerning percentage of cocoa products in the U.S. exceed heavy metal guidelines, with organic products showing even higher concentrations.
GW researchers analyzed 72 consumer cocoa products, including dark chocolate, every other year over an eight-year period for contamination with lead, cadmium, and arsenic, heavy metals that pose a significant health hazard in sufficient amounts.
“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,” said Leigh Frame, director of integrative medicine and associate professor of clinical research and leadership at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. “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.”
The unique study was led by Leigh Frame and the study’s lead author Jacob Hands, a medical student researcher in the Frame-Corr Lab at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
The researchers used a threshold of maximum allowable dose levels to assess the extent of heavy metal contamination in an array of chocolate products, found on grocery store shelves.
Key Findings:
- 43% of the products studied exceeded the maximum allowable dose level for lead.
- 35% of the products studied exceeded the maximum allowable dose level for cadmium.
- None of the products exceeded the maximum allowable dose level for arsenic.
- Surprisingly, organic labeled products showed higher levels of both lead and cadmium compared to non-organic products.
Key Takeaways:
For the average consumer, consuming a single serving of these cocoa products may not pose significant health risks based on the median concentrations found. However, consuming multiple servings or combining consumption with other sources of heavy metals could lead to exposures that exceed the maximum allowable dose level.
Foods with high lead levels may include animal foods that can bioaccumulate heavy metals (shellfish, organ meats) and foods or herbal supplements grown in contaminated soil and/or imported from countries with less regulation (e.g. China, Nigeria, India, Egypt). For cadmium, the main concerns are the same with the addition of some seaweeds, especially Hijiki seaweed. Consumers should be aware of potential cumulative exposure risks, particularly with cocoa products labeled organic, as they may have higher heavy metal concentrations. A serving size of dark chocolate is typically one ounce and has been generally suggested to have health benefits including cardiovascular health, cognitive performance, and chronic inflammation. However, the research is limited and concerns about heavy metals have yet to be taken into account.
Reference: “A multi-year heavy metal analysis of 72 dark chocolate and cocoa products in the USA” by Jacob M. Hands, Mark L. Anderson, Tod Cooperman, Jared E. Balsky and Leigh A. Frame, 25 June 2024, Frontiers in Nutrition.
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1366231
10 Comments
Chocolate is also high in acrylamide, as are all roasted beans. When cocoa beans are heated above 248 degrees F, they undergo the Maillard reaction, which imparts flavor along with creating acrylamide, which is a nerve poison and carcinogen. Coffee and grain substitutes for coffee also have this problem of very high acrylamide. This is a public health problem that governments around the world are trying to manage. See my article in Food Safety News, From Poisoned Party to Toxic Toast – How to Get Nerve Poison out of Your Food. https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2022/10/from-poisoned-party-to-toxic-toast-how-to-get-nerve-poison-out-of-your-food/.
Without revealing which products exceeded the maximum allowable dose levels this information is completely useless.
This is not the first time this has been announced. Having been alerted, if you are concerned, a little time spent searching on the internet should fill the vacuum.
Hershey’s Special Dark is one of the products previously listed as containing high levels of lead. (None actually exceeded the “maximum allowable dose” as established by the FDA.) Because I have consumed a row of dark chocolate daily for several years, I had my physician check for lead in my blood. The results came back with unconcerning levels.
Right here on SciTechDaily:
https://scitechdaily.com/popular-myth-debunked-new-study-clears-dark-chocolate-of-health-risks/
Perhaps the George Washington University researchers should have compared notes with the Tulane University study before sounding this false alarm.
Thankyou so very much. Sounds like i must grow my own cocoa beans as is the case for such-like else. My research leads me in a myriad of directions which i am putting to use as needs be. When ready i shall share.
Don’t jest hava good day, hava great moments. Quantumly speaking… Sincerely Terry Onow
TO: Without revealing which products exceeded the maximum allowable dose levels this information is completely useless.
I BELONG TO THE “LOOK IT UP CLUB” AND HAVE SINCE THE 1960’S. Even tidbits of information can be invaluable for me and those of my kind. Being Grateful is great for my health. Thanks to scitechdaily.com i have a legitimate question to pose in a beginning point 👉 to research too…
Sincerely Terry Onow lol Moore
I’m with Tachy, “Without revealing which products exceeded the maximum allowable dose levels this information is completely useless.”
It used to be that dark chocolate was considered a healthier choice to eat than milk chocolate. The article states that no more than one ounce should be consumed at a time even without considering heavy metal toxicity. Who can only eat one ounce at a time of any type of chocolate? Is nothing safe to eat anymore?
Just another click-bate article like most on the web