Superfood consumers' exposure to selected heavy metals.

This article focuses on assessing the concentrations of selected toxic heavy metals—cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg)—in various superfood products commonly consumed for their health benefits, including flaxseed, chia seeds, black cumin, goji berries, buckwheat, millet, almonds, quinoa, and green tea. The study found the highest cadmium levels in ground flaxseed and the highest arsenic levels in green tea bags, with exposure assessments indicating a probable health risk (hazard quotient, HQ > 1) from arsenic in flaxseed, almonds, quinoa, and green tea at both average and maximum concentrations. Mercury was detected only in green tea samples, with exposure levels below risk thresholds. The findings highlight the need for regular monitoring of heavy metal accumulation in superfoods and suggest expanding regulatory limits for arsenic in products not currently covered to better protect public health.