New research summary: Mitigating cadmium uptake in cacao and in our chocolate

Check out my new research summary which is filled with some great information on cadmium in chocolate, where it may originate, and what can be done to mitigate it, as well as the question of how severe and direct is cadmium on human health.

There is a great deal of attention to the issue of cadmium and heavy metals in chocolate and cocoa products. You see the fear mongering bubbling all over social media and established media outlets looking to jump on the bandwagon. Ideas out there such as products are “laced” with cadmium leads the viewers to think that those in the industry are for some reason going out of there way to poison you, which not the case here. Most of this information leaves the viewer uninformed and fearful due to being misinformed. It’s a complex issue, and may not be as severe as you may be lead to think from the current social media frenzy on cadmium in chocolate.

This summary of a review on the topic of mitigating cadmium in cacao can help you gain some perspective of not only the causes, but the more balanced unbiased evidence-based approach here. The review may appear a bit too full of jargon and complicated ideas, but the just of it is quite simple and worth a skim through at the very least.

Cadmium in chocolate is not new, nor is it restricted to chocolate as many other products consumed more than chocolate such as wheat, rice, and potatoes also have mitigation strategies in place to manage the cadmium uptake in these plants. The problem when it comes to cocoa products including chocolate is in new regulations of cadmium levels in cacao (which are also controversial in themselves), as well as the lack of regulation (or the adherence to) by larger cacao and chocolate manufacturers around the world.

Have a read over this informative review and settle your nerves. Don’t be mistaken. It’s very important to be aware of what is in our food and the consequences of potential toxins (or elements that may be at potentially toxic levels). But what’s more important is to be sure you have the whole picture the facts that go along with it. This review will help start you in that direction.