A new consumer report found dangerous heavy metals in chocolate from Hershey’s, Theo, Trader Joe’s, and other popular brands, including organic premium chocolate. Today we unpack this report, explore ways to support your detoxification pathways for heavy metals, and more.
Heavy Metals in Your Chocolate Bars
A Consumer Report released this month tested a range of brands from popular global brands like Hershey’s, Godiva, Ghirardelli, and Lindt, as well as smaller-batch organic brands like Hu, Theo, Tanza, and Lily’s. No brand escaped the harsh reality of containing cadmium and lead, although some brands were worse than others. The study tested 28 different chocolate bars for cadmium and lead.1 The shocking results highlight that 23 bars tested over the limit set by public health authorities for either cadmium or lead by eating a single ounce of chocolate per day. Five of the chocolate bars were tested over the limit for both heavy metals.
So what’s the deal?
There are various reasons why chocolate (and all foods) can be contaminated with heavy metals. When it comes to chocolate, there is a main and distinct reason why these two heavy metals show up repeatedly.The cadmium found in chocolate is typically a result of the contaminated soil in which the cacao pod plants grow.2 From the time they are harvested, the beans contain cadmium levels that don’t change throughout the processing of the pods into the chocolate you buy in the store. This process includes steps like drying the beans and then the manufacturing process that grinds the beans and adds other ingredients like sugar. The lead in chocolate tells a different story since its source is not soil.2 Studies of lead in chocolate show that, as a whole pod, the lead source is actually the exterior of the cacao pod shell. Once the cacao beans are removed from the shell, they do not test for lead contamination. After the beans are left to dry in the sun, they will again test up for lead contaminants. This suggests lead contamination is coming from the air (likely from a source like a nearby highway’s car fumes), which re-contaminated the cacao anytime it spends enough time outside.2
What Should I Do?
Should you avoid chocolate forever? Well, it depends. Some things to consider include your current state of health. When we see every form of stress, like a drop in a rain bucket that will eventually overflow, we can start to examine how much return we get on each form of stress and if it’s worth investing in. An overflowing stress bucket typically means formal diagnoses of symptoms like autoimmunity when our stress has been building up for a long time.When it comes to toxicity, there is no way to avoid all forms of it. Living in a modern world means acknowledging that we will be exposed to the stress of toxins whether we like it or not. Luckily, there are things we can do to support our body’s detoxification pathways.
“Nice List”: What are the top 5 lowest toxic chocolate brands tested by consumer reports?
- Mast Organic Dark Chocolate 80% Cocoa
- Taza Chocolate Organic Deliciously Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao
- Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate 86% Cacao
- Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate Twilight Delight 72% Cacao
- Valrhona Abinao Dark Chocolate 85% Cacao
What supplements can help detox the body of heavy metals?
CytoDetox
Clinoptilolite Zeolites are natural minerals formed from fossilized volcanic ash and seawater that are known as nature’s detoxifiers for the environment.3CytoDetox supports the body’s natural ability to detoxify thanks to molecular clinoptilolite fragments small enough to permeate cells and the blood-brain barrier.CytoDetox is a supplement that will help mitigate the impact of past contaminants like heavy metals that are now stored in your body. This ensures that as you continue to be naturally exposed to new toxic stressors, you’re also emptying out the proverbial rain bucket.
True Carbon Cleanse (TCC)
TrueCarbonCleanse™ formula contains extremely specialized highly activated carbon, powerful humates (humic and fulvic acids), Cleanoptilite™️ (Clinoptilolite – Zeolite Crystals), and other Gut Detoxifiers that can attach to and eliminate toxins. It does so more effectively than any other formula ever created.
TrueCarbonCleanse™ supports your body’s natural removal of pro-inflammatory and body-impacting toxins we are exposed to from the air, water, plastics, heavy metals, chemicals, and more OUT of your cells and body. TrueCarbonCleanse™ serves as a master drainage gut detoxifying formula that attracts toxins released in the colon and prevents them from reabsorbing back into the body, aka RETOXIFICATION! The proprietary matrix of powerful and diverse binders ATTACH to the toxins so they can’t be reabsorbed back into the body, causing the “retox effect”…
… instead, they are gently escorted out of the body permanently so the body can thrive naturally without this toxic interference.
Besides the ultra-pure and potent activated charcoal that absorbs up to 300 times its weight in toxins, the specialized, powerful humates (humic and fulvic acids) – are for additional detox and remineralization support.
Liver Support
As one of the key organs involved in detoxification, ensuring your liver is well supported is important regarding the constant exposure to toxins of the modern world. True Cellular Formulas® Liver Support contains over 20 active ingredients that support liver repair, health, and function. The liver plays a vital role in the metabolic and detoxification processes of the body. Our Liver Support is formulated with antioxidants and nutrients from plant sources such as milk thistle, beetroot, artichokes, and dandelions to support your liver health and cleansing.
Summary
A new study highlights the reality that many chocolate brands on store shelves are contaminated with heavy metals, cadmium, and lead. From big well-known brands to smaller-batch handmade and organic chocolate, the problem is two-fold. It includes the quality of the chocolate pods’ soil and the amount of time they spend outdoors accumulating airborne toxins through the growing and drying process. Living in fear of chocolate is not the only solution, and considering the return on investment of all the stressors in your life is important. To mitigate the impact of toxicity, you can include a binder supplement like TrueCarbonCleanse™ and help reduce your toxic stores by using a Clinoptilolite Zeolite product like CytoDetox.
References
- Loria, K., & Bergmann, D. visualizations by A. (2022, December 15). Lead and cadmium could be in Your dark chocolate. Consumer Reports. Retrieved December 21, 2022, from https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-safety/lead-and-cadmium-in-dark-chocolate-a8480295550/
- Behar, A. (2022, October 12). New report details simple, safe, and low-cost solutions to reduce levels of lead and cadmium in chocolate. As You Sow. Retrieved December 21, 2022, from https://www.asyousow.org/blog/2022/8/17/new-report-explains-simple-safe-and-low-cost-solutions-to-reduce-levels-of-lead-and-cadmium-in-chocolate
- Mastinu, Andrea et al. “Zeolite Clinoptilolite: Therapeutic Virtues of an Ancient Mineral.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 24,8 1517. 17 Apr. 2019, doi:10.3390/molecules24081517
- Activated Charcoal. Activated charcoal. (n.d.). Retrieved December 21, 2022, from https://www.poison.org/articles/activated-charcoal