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Dark Chocolate Causes Cancer and Infertility, Researchers Find

1st August 2024

Dark chocolate and other cocoa treats contain lead and cadmium, two harmful metals linked to cancer, chronic disease, and reproductive issues, especially in children, according to a new study.

Heavy Metals in the Soil

Lead and cadmium naturally exist in the Earth's crust and can enter the soil where crops grow. Some areas have higher levels of these metals due to the overuse of fertilizers and industrial pollution. Surprisingly, even organic dark chocolate, which is usually grown with fewer chemicals, had high levels of these metals, according to the study published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition.

Dark Chocolate's Health Benefits and Risks

Dark chocolate is known for its healthy nutrients like flavonoids, antioxidants, and minerals, which can improve heart health, brain function, and reduce inflammation. 

However, the study focused on pure dark chocolate products because they have the most cacao, the raw part of the cacao bean. Candies and baking chocolates with extra ingredients were not included. The study did not name the brands tested.

Jane Houlihan, the science director for Healthy Babies Bright Futures, pointed out that the levels of lead and cadmium in the studied cocoa products are as high as those found by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the most contaminated foods they test.

Comparison with Other Foods

Dark chocolate was found to have higher levels of lead and cadmium compared to some of the FDA's most contaminated foods, such as baby food sweet potatoes, teething biscuits, cookies, white wine, and ranch dressing. Houlihan explained that while eating small amounts of chocolate usually falls below the safe limits set by the government, there are higher risks for young children, pregnant women, and regular dark chocolate eaters.

The National Confectioners Association, which represents the chocolate industry, stated that chocolate and cocoa products are safe to eat and have been enjoyed as treats for a long time. They emphasized their commitment to food safety and product quality.

Study Details and Findings

The study analyzed 72 cocoa products for lead, cadmium, and arsenic levels. Unlike previous studies that looked at heavy metals in chocolate for a short time, this study tested products over eight years, including 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020. Testing was conducted by Consumer Labs, a nonprofit that provides third-party testing on health and nutrition products, by sending samples to different laboratories.

Out of the chocolate products tested, 43% had lead levels above California's Proposition 65 maximum limit, and 35% had too much cadmium. No significant levels of arsenic were found. Proposition 65 limits are stricter than federal government standards, setting a lead safety limit of 0.05 parts per million for chocolate, which is half of the FDA's limit for children's candy.

Perspectives on Lead Exposure

Danielle Fugere, president of As You Sow, a nonprofit focusing on shareholder advocacy, explained that Prop 65 allows consumers to make informed choices about lead exposure. 

Lead can be found in many sources, including water, vegetables, fruits, soil, dust, and air. Fugere emphasized that individuals can decide how comfortable they feel about eating chocolate that may contain lead.

Leigh Frame, the senior study author and executive director of the Office of Integrative Medicine and Health at George Washington University, reassured that healthy adults who limit their intake to small amounts should not fear eating chocolate. 

Frame pointed out that a typical serving of dark chocolate is 1 ounce, and consuming this amount occasionally poses a small risk. However, it's important to be aware of other sources of lead exposure, such as old lead paint in homes.

Risks for Vulnerable Populations

Tewodros Godebo, an assistant professor at Tulane University, warned that the risk of heavy metal exposure increases for people who are already sick, pregnant women, and small children. 

Godebo, who conducted a study analyzing 155 samples of chocolate, found higher levels of cadmium but little lead in dark chocolates. Cadmium can damage kidneys over time, and the Environmental Protection Agency considers it a probable human carcinogen.

Impacts on Children

Children can absorb up to 50% of ingested lead after a meal and up to 100% on an empty stomach. The World Health Organization states that there is no safe level of lead, especially for children. Lead exposure can affect brain development, resulting in reduced intelligence, behavioral changes, and lower educational performance.