Some chocolate contains heavy metals which can contribute to ADHD symptoms

This is a relevant article on the post-Easter chocolate binge time… sorry!

In 2022, I wrote an article about a US investigation finding high levels of heavy metals in some brands of chocolate, mainly being lead and cadmium (Consumer Reports, 2022).

Cadmium and Lead are toxic "heavy metals", tending to increase in levels in the body over time due to poor detoxing of these metals from the body (CDC, 2022a). Cadmium can damage the kidneys to cause kidney disease, done damage and fragile bones, and is a known carcinogen (cancer-causing chemical).

​Lead can be stored in body tissues such as bone, to cause bone conditions, and in the brain to cause headaches, brain fog, mental health conditions, and brain damage. Lead can also damage the kidneys, and can cross the placenta to damage foetuses, or cause stillbirths and infertility. Lead is also a neurotoxin, being damaging to the nervous system, the nerves, and the brain. Nerve damage from lead can cause neuropathy, or loss of nerve function, numbness and tingling of hands and feet. Lead is also suspected of being a carcinogen (CDC, 2022b).

See the link for more details of the Consumer Reports investigation and which US brands and products are affected:
www.consumerreports.org/health/food-safety/lead-and-cadmium-in-dark-chocolate-a8480295550/

Heavy metals such as cadmium and lead, but others like mercury, aluminium, arsenic and others, cause many different symptoms and issues in several different ways:

1. These heavy metals are neurotoxic, being damaging to the nervous system and brain function. This can cause mental health symptoms, and can affect brain function and moods and behaviours, including autism disorders
2. Heavy metals cause a lot of oxidative damage to the body’s organs and cells. The brain is the most susceptible part of the body to oxidative damage, leading to a lot of symptoms
3. Heavy metals have antagonistic effects against other nutritional minerals (and some vitamins too), causing increased excretion of these nutrients, and causing nutrient deficiencies. Lead, for example, causes deficiencies of calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc, iron, manganese, selenium, sulphur, and vitamin C. These deficiencies will cause a LOT of symptoms.

Heavy metals in chocolate were not only found in the cheaper brands, but also in the more expensive and allegedly higher quality brands, including some Swiss chocolate companies such as Lindt.

After these findings in the US, a class action lawsuit was filed against the Lindt chocolate company, when heavy metals were found in their products. Lindt chocolates are typically more expensive and their marketing is based on having quality ingredients and being a better quality brand. Better quality heavy metals than other brands, perhaps?!

Apparently Lindt knew their chocolate contained heavy metals, but didn’t do anything to rectify this. Hence the lawsuit. I wonder if this could be why there was almost no Lindt easter chocolate in my local shops this year? There’s normally a ton of the distinctive Lindt bunny chocolates in various sizes and flavours, but I only saw a small number of one size and type. And they were more than double the price of previous years.
How would you know if you have any heavy metals? You can get a HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) test, to look for heavy metals, and other nutritional minerals, in your hair. This is a service which I offer, including the analysis of the HTMA reports, and making any recommendations if needed.

Heavy metals are a common cause of many conditions and diagnoses, including the autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, mental health conditions, headaches and migraines, brain fog, poor memory and concentration, neuropathy and nerve issues, and more. Hence testing for these heavy metals and implementing a treatment plan to detoxify these heavy metals can reduce the levels and improve health in many ways.

Stay healthy!

References:
Body and Soul. (2025) Retrieved 20th April 2025 from https://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/.../4873e3f37de56295b11637...

CDC. (2022a). Cadmium Factsheet. Retrieved 21st December 2022 from https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/Cadmium_FactSheet.html

CDC. (2022b). Lead Factsheet. Retrieved 21st December 2022 from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/lead/health.html

Consumer Reports. (2022). Lead and Cadmium Could Be in Your Dark Chocolate. Retrieved 21st December 2022 from www.consumerreports.org/health/food-safety/lead-and-cadmium-in-dark-chocolate-a8480295550/