Many of us are partial to a bit of chocolate every now and then. And while it is tasty, we know that it is not the healthiest snack we can eat due to its sugar content. However, new research has shown that it could come with some other unexpected health risks.
A study from The George Washington University in the US, revealed that a concerning amount of cocoa-based products contain heavy metals that exceed what is considered safe. As part of the research a team analysed 72 consumer cocoa products, including dark chocolate, every other year over an eight year period. They tested the products for contamination with lead, cadmium, and arsenic, heavy metals that pose a significant health hazard in sufficient amounts.
As much as 43 percent of the products exceeded the maximum allowable dose level for lead. While 35 percent of the products studied exceeded the maximum allowable dose level for cadmium. However, none of the products exceeded the maximum allowable dose level for arsenic.
A finding that surprised researchers was the fact that organic labelled products showed higher levels of both lead and cadmium compared to non-organic products. In line with the results, the team urged people not to consume cocoa products in large amounts. Leigh Frame, director of integrative medicine at the university, explained: “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.
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