Chocolate and Bone Density

February 5, 2008

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As a chocoholic I was distressed to red that a study of elderly women showed that the increased consumption of chocolate is related to a lower bone density. The study in women from 70 to 85 found that those who reported eating chocolate every day were the most likely to have the lowest bone density as measured by DEXA (dual-energy X ray absorptiometry). This study American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 87:175, 2008 goes against the current advice that chocolate is good for you.

Chocolate is thought to be good for you, since it contains both calcium and flavenoids. Other studies have suggested that flavenoid-rich foods are of benefit for cardiovascular health and may promote bone health. The authors of this new study suggest that the problem may be oxalic acid which is a compound found naturally in chocolate. It is known that consumption of oxalic acid increases the rate of loss of calcium from the body. Other foods that contain oxalic acid include rhubarb, parsley, and leafy green vegetables and tea, all of which are also supposed to be good for you. The more we hear about diet the more confusing it gets.

What is the chocoholic to do? Make sure that lots of calcium is consumed?

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