“Cocoa is not coffee, but too much of it can be harmful,” warns nutritionist Elena Solomatina.
The first danger is purines, which in high doses provoke gout and kidney stones.
The second is alkalized cocoa powder, processed with alkali: it loses up to 90% of antioxidants and contains harmful additives.
The third threat is hidden sugar. According to Chek Index , the price of chocolate in Russia has increased by 15%, forcing manufacturers to replace cocoa with cheaper analogues, such as palm oil.
But how to recognize a fake? Roskontrol expert Dmitry Zakharov advises:
"Real cocoa powder should have a bitter smell and a uniform brown color. If it is gray or has a chemical aroma, it is a surrogate."
Cadmium is a particular hazard. A Consumer Reports study found that some cocoa powder samples contained levels of this heavy metal that were twice the legal limit.
To minimize risk, choose products labeled "European Quality Standard" or "USDA Organic."
The story of Pavel , 45 years old: “I drank cocoa three times a day until I ended up in hospital with an attack of gout.
Doctors explained: purines in cocoa + my heredity = disaster."
He now drinks no more than one cup a week and monitors his uric acid levels.
