Why chocolate gives weaker bones?

Regular consumption of chocolate could weaken bone density and strength, which could in turn increase the risk of osteoporosis.

According to a new study, women who eat chocolate daily have an overall bone density 3.1 percent lower than those who consume it less than once a week. More than 1,000 women aged 70-85 were asked to keep a diary of how often they consumed chocolate or cocoa-based drinks.

The researchers did not distinguish between types of chocolate consumed.


Even though chocolate contains flavonols and calcium, both of which are linked to a positive effect on bone density, it also contains oxalate, an inhibitor of calcium absorption, and sugar, which is linked to calcium excretion.

This study comes less than a month after British medical journal the Lancet warned consumers that manufacturers usually remove the healthy element -- the flavonols.

FoodTechnology.com January 15, 2008
"The American journal of clinical nutrition"[Jour] AND 2008/01[pdat]