A metal found in chocolate can increase the risk of dementia.
Metal in chocolate could lead to dementia
A connection has been discovered between cadmium and memory problems for the first time by scientists in an alarming discovery.
Cadmium is released from bedrock and cigarette smoke and is present in numerous chocolatey goods - from brownies to cake mix.
Experts in the US followed over 2,000 people aged in their 60s for a period of 10 years and the data showed that increased cadmium exposure had a debilitating impact on cognition.
The researchers also found that it was only white people who were affected as there was no association between cadmium levels and cognitive decline for black participants.
Dr. Liping Lu, a public health and nutrition researcher at Columbia University, 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 behaviour or in society."