Chocolate & Calcium: Debunking Myths

[daniel_i_l]

Is it true that chocolate makes it harder for the body to absorb calcium? Someone told me that by drinking chocolate milk you hurt your bones more than you help them.

 

[jim mcnamara]

Yes. But the impact is minimal. Chocolate contains oxalates, as do spinach, some other green vegetables, some nuts, black pepper, and so on. Oxalate is of more concern to people with kidney stones. Oxalates interfere with calcium absorption, but the levels in choclates we eat is pretty low.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/calcium/AN01294