Khaberni - Researchers have made a "very exciting" discovery that the chemical theobromine - a plant compound derived from cocoa - may have anti-aging properties.
The plant compounds in our diet may influence how our bodies age.
The research team from King's College London compared levels of theobromine - an alkaloid known to be toxic to dogs - in human blood, with biological aging indicators in the blood that indicate the apparent age of the body based on its health and functions, not on the actual age in years.
These indicators are based on patterns of small "benchmark" marks on the DNA, called methylation, that change throughout our lives.
According to "Surrey Life", the study, which included 1669 participants, found that those with higher levels of theobromine in their blood enjoyed a biological age younger than their actual age.
Dr. Jordana Bell, the lead author of the study, said: "Our study suggests a link between one of the key ingredients of dark chocolate and maintaining youth for a longer period."
She continued: "Although we are not advocating for an increase in the consumption of dark chocolate, this research helps us understand how everyday foods might hold the keys to a longer and healthier life."
Comparison of Cocoa and Coffee
The team also tested whether other metabolites in cocoa and coffee show a similar connection, but they found that the effect seems to be specific to theobromine.
The research team explained that plant compounds in our diet could influence how our bodies age by altering the way our genes are activated or deactivated.
Some of these compounds, called alkaloids, can interact with the cellular mechanism that controls gene activity and contribute to shaping health and longevity.
