A naturally occurring element found in popular sweet treats like dark chocolate could be linked to an increased risk of developing dementia.
Researchers have found a link between exposure to cadmium and memory and thinking problems for the first time.
The metal is released from bedrock and cigarette smoke and has been showing up in unnatural levels in food – from hot chocolate to brownie mix and cake mix.
Dr Liping Lu, a public health and nutrition researcher at Columbia University, who co-authored the paper, said: ‘With the high occurrence and high cost of dementia to families and to society, it’s important to identify risk factors for early cognitive problems that could be affected by changes in people’s behavior or in society.’
The paper followed 2,172 people approximately 64 years old without cognitive issues over a period of 10 years. About 61 percent of the participants were white and 39 percent were black.
Researchers measured their cadmium levels at the beginning of the study and participants regularly took tests to measure their cognitive abilities.