Does chocolate have a high copper content?

Chocolate's Copper Content

Yes, chocolate has a high copper content, making it a significant dietary source of this essential mineral. 1, 2, 3

Copper Content in Different Chocolate Types

The copper content in chocolate varies by type, with darker chocolates containing higher levels:

• Dark chocolate/cocoa powder: Contains the highest levels of copper

  • Pure cocoa powder contains approximately 3.8 mg of copper per 100g 2
  • Dark chocolate contains between 26.6-31.5 μg/g (equivalent to 2.66-3.15 mg/100g) 4

• Milk chocolate: Contains moderate copper levels

  • Lower than dark chocolate due to reduced cocoa content 3

• White chocolate: Contains the lowest copper levels

  • Minimal cocoa solids result in lower copper content 3

The copper content directly correlates with the percentage of cocoa in the chocolate product. Research shows that the concentration of copper and other minerals is directly connected with the cocoa paste content 3.

Copper in Chocolate: Health Implications

Copper is the third most abundant trace element in the body after zinc and iron 5. It serves as an important catalyst for heme synthesis and iron absorption. The average daily intake of copper in the US is about 1 mg, with a bioavailability of 65-70% 5.

Benefits of Chocolate as a Copper Source:

• Addressing deficiency: Cocoa has been successfully used to treat copper deficiency in patients with long-term enteral nutrition 2

  • 10g of cocoa (containing 0.38 mg copper) daily was sufficient to treat moderate copper deficiency
  • 5g of cocoa (containing 0.19 mg copper) daily was adequate for maintaining normal serum copper levels

• Dietary contribution: Chocolate is listed among copper-rich foods that can help alleviate copper deficiency, alongside shellfish, nuts, mushrooms, and organ meats 1

Considerations and Cautions:

• Copper balance: While copper deficiency may be more prevalent than previously thought, copper toxicity is uncommon under normal dietary conditions 6

• Monitoring needs: When using chocolate or other high-copper foods to address deficiency, it's important to maintain a proper zinc-to-copper ratio (8-15:1) 1

• Processing factors: The copper content in chocolate may be influenced by farming practices, as copper compounds are extensively used as fungicides in cocoa farming 4

Clinical Applications

For patients with suspected copper deficiency (particularly those with gastrointestinal losses, on long-term parenteral nutrition, post-bariatric surgery, or with malabsorption syndromes), dark chocolate could serve as a natural dietary source of copper 1, 2.

Signs of copper deficiency that might warrant increased intake include:

• Unexplained hair loss
• Changes in taste acuity
• Unexplained anemia
• Neutropenia 1

In clinical settings where copper supplementation is needed, 10g of cocoa daily (providing approximately 0.38 mg copper) has been shown to effectively correct moderate deficiency 2.