NEED TO KNOW
- An alkaloid found in cocoa, theobromine, has been linked to “staying younger for longer,” new research says
- Those with higher levels of theobromine in their system had a lower biological age, a study in the journal Aging says
- “This research can help us understand how everyday foods may hold clues to healthier, longer lives,” the study’s senior author said
You now have a good excuse to reach for an extra piece of dark chocolate, as scientists say it could help you live longer.
Theobromine, an alkaloid in cocoa most known for being toxic to dogs, “has been linked to extended lifespan in model organisms and to health benefits in humans,” according to new research published in the journal Aging. For the study, researchers examined data from more than 1,600 people and used two tests to determine the participants’ biological age. They examined chemical changes in DNA, and the length of the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes called telomeres. (Shorter telomeres are linked to aging and age-related diseases.)
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Researchers found that those with higher levels of theobromine in their blood had a lower biologic age.
“Our study finds links between a key component of dark chocolate and staying younger for longer. While we’re not saying that people should eat more dark chocolate, this research can help us understand how everyday foods may hold clues to healthier, longer lives,” Professor Jordana Bell, senior author of the paper and a Professor in Epigenomics at King’s College London, said in a press release from the educational institution.
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Theobromine is closely associated with caffeine, the National Cancer Institute says, and can stimulate the heart, widen blood vessels, and increase the amount of urine the kidneys make.
The next step, researchers say, is to determine if it’s theobromine alone — or its interaction with other elements in the cocoa — that contributes to health benefits for humans.
“This is a very exciting finding, and the next important questions are what is behind this association and how can we explore the interactions between dietary metabolites and our epigenome further?” Dr. Ramy Saad, lead researcher at King’s College London, said. “This approach could lead us to important discoveries towards ageing, and beyond, in common and rare diseases.”