Dark chocolate is no longer just a treat. It can actually help slow down aging.
According to a new study published in AgingOne of the main chemicals contained in dark chocolate, theobromine, slows down the rate of biological aging. Theobromine is the compound that makes chocolate poisonous to dogs, but it may have great hidden health benefits for humans.
“Our study finds a link between a key component of dark chocolate and longevity of youth,” senior author Jordana Bell said in the study. press release. “While we're not saying people should eat more dark chocolate, this study may help us understand how everyday foods may be the key to a healthier, longer life.”
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How does theobromine slow down biological aging?
Theobromine is a plant compound found in cocoa. Plant compounds have been shown to influence aging through their ability to modulate gene expression.
Plant compounds such as theobromine are also known as alkaloids, which interact with the body's cellular machinery. This mechanism controls gene activity associated with health and longevity. By altering gene function, theobromine may improve cardiovascular health and slow down the speed of biological aging.
Biological aging is our age based on how our body functions rather than how many years we have lived. Scientists can determine biological age thanks to “bookmarks” in our DNA that shift and change as we get older.
Determining the effect of theobromine on biological age
For this study, the research team examined blood-based markers of biological age in nearly 2,000 people.
To determine biological age, scientists conducted two separate tests on study participants. The first test was to estimate the rate of aging by observing chemical changes in the body. DNA. The second test focused on telomeres, the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. Telomeres become shorter as we age, so studying their length is often a popular scientific method for age-related research.
The various test results all pointed to one thing: people with higher levels of theobromine in their blood also had a biological age younger than their actual age.
The Future of Theobromine Research in Anti-Aging
This discovery has opened up many new possibilities for anti-aging research in the future. The research team is already working on further analysis of their findings.
“This is a very interesting discovery, and the next important question is what is behind this connection and how can we further explore the interaction between food metabolites and our epigenome? This approach could lead us to important discoveries in the field of aging and not only in relation to common and rare diseases,” explained lead researcher Rami Saad.
One of the main questions they hope to answer is whether the theobromine in dark chocolate acts on its own to slow biological age, or whether other compounds help it. Dark chocolate also contains polyphenolswhich are compounds that are known to have many benefits for human health. Researchers are interested in figuring out how these compounds might work together.
The scientists also want to insist that their research does not suggest that we consume excessive amounts of dark chocolate to control our biological age. Dark chocolate also contains sugar, fat and other compounds that are known to be unhealthy, so further research is needed before we can use dark chocolate as an anti-aging treatment.
This article does not contain medical advice and should be used for informational purposes only.
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