Khaberni - A new study published today in the journal "Aging" shows that dark chocolate may actually help prolong life, thanks to a natural compound found in cocoa called theobromine (Theobromine), which is the same compound that gives unsweetened chocolate its bitter taste.
Dark chocolate slows aging
Researchers at King's College London analyzed health data for 1,669 people (509 of them from the British TwinsUK database, and 1,160 from the German KORA study), with an average age of 60 years and generally in good health.
The scientists used two precise measures of biological age: epigenetic clocks, chemical changes to the DNA, and telomere length (the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes).
Study results
The result was that individuals who had higher levels of theobromine in their blood had a biological age that was significantly younger than their actual chronological age. After testing other compounds found in cocoa and coffee, it turned out that the anti-aging effect was specifically due to theobromine and not to others.
Professor Jordana Bell, the team leader, said: "We're not telling people: eat more dark chocolate! But this study shows that everyday foods may hold secrets to living a longer, healthier life."
Theobromine is the main alkaloid in cocoa (found in much greater amounts than caffeine), and previous studies have linked it to many health benefits for humans including: lowering blood pressure, improving blood flow, reducing the risk of heart disease, and protecting cognitive functions with aging.
Researchers' warning
Researchers cautioned that the benefit is limited to dark chocolate with a high cocoa percentage (70% or more), while milk chocolate contains very small amounts of theobromine, and white chocolate contains none at all. Even dark chocolate should be consumed in moderation due to sugar and fats.
Professor Bell added, "The percentage of theobromine varies depending on the type of chocolate and its manufacturing process, but the rule is simple: the higher the solid cocoa content, the greater the health benefit."
The study is the first to prove a direct link between theobromine and slowing down biological aging at the cellular level in humans, opening the door for future research that may use this compound in anti-aging treatments.
