If you really love chocolate, you may want to sit down before reading this article. A recent study has shown that many cocoa-containing products such as chocolate contain concerning levels of toxic metals, including lead and cadmium. This is due to the cultivation and manufacturing practices required to produce cocoa. Dark chocolate, which contains more cocoa, is known to contain higher concentrations of heavy metals.

The researchers in the study tested a large number of dark chocolate bars, cocoa powders and cocoa nibs to see if they were contaminated with heavy metals in concentrations higher than those deemed safe by California’s Proposition 65. (This law contains some of the nation’s strictest food and chemical regulations.) Among the products tested, 43 percent contained higher levels of lead than the California law considers safe, and 35 percent had concentrations of cadmium, which is considered unsafe. Both metals are considered toxic and have been associated with a range of health issues, especially in children.

So, what is a chocolate lover supposed to do? First of all, you don’t have to give up consuming chocolate. However, it’s a good idea to be aware of how much you consume. A few ounces each week should not be a concern for healthy adults. An assistant professor at the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tewodros R. Godebo, recently published a study on heavy metals in chocolate. His research concluded that eating an ounce of dark chocolate each day poses no risks to healthy adults who are not pregnant. However, pregnant woman and very young children should consider limiting how much dark chocolate they consume, since they are more susceptible to the health risks of consuming heavy metals in their diets. Those who consume a lot of dark chocolate alongside other products known to contain heavy metals, such as some seafood, teas and spices, should also consider limiting the amounts they consume. As your doctor has probably told you, everything is best consumed in moderation – including chocolate!