When you reach for a chocolate bar, it may seem harmless—but scientists are urging caution due to hidden health risks. Research has shown that some chocolate brands contain dangerous levels of cadmium, a toxic metal that could affect not just your health, but also that of your children and grandchildren.
Dr. Delia Shelton, a biologist at the University of Miami, is studying cadmium’s effects using zebrafish, which share around 74% of their genes with humans. Cadmium is not limited to chocolate—it is also found in foods like rice, tortillas, and shellfish. Prolonged exposure has been linked to serious conditions, particularly heart problems.
One of cadmium’s most alarming traits is its persistence in the body—it can take 10 to 30 years to eliminate just half of what’s absorbed. This prompted Dr. Shelton and Dr. Amanda Oehlert to investigate its long-term impacts through multigenerational zebrafish studies.
Their findings were alarming: the toxic effects of cadmium exposure extended beyond the directly exposed fish, affecting their offspring and even their grandchildren. This raises serious concerns about potential long-term human effects, even in people never directly exposed.
This issue resonates in Miami-Dade County, where the residents of West Coconut Grove were exposed to cadmium pollution for decades from the now-defunct “Old Smokey” incinerator. The University of Miami’s Environmental Justice Clinic is now advocating for medical monitoring, supported by Shelton’s research.
Ultimately, the research is a stark reminder to consider the long-term effects of what we consume. A simple chocolate bar may carry risks that could affect generations to come.
