Chemical in Dark Chocolate May Slow Your Biological Age by Tweaking Gene Switches

Dark chocolate is no longer just a treat. This could actually help slow aging.

According to a new study published in AgingOne of the main chemicals found in dark chocolate – theobromine – has been shown to slow the rate of biological aging. Theobromine is the compound that makes chocolate toxic to dogs, but it could have a major hidden health benefit in humans.

“Our study reveals links between a key component of dark chocolate and staying younger longer,” lead author Jordana Bell said in a press release. “While we’re not saying people should eat more dark chocolate, this research can help us understand how everyday foods can help us live longer, healthier lives.”

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How does theobromine slow biological aging?

Theobromine is a plant compound found in cocoa. Plant compounds have been shown to affect aging through their ability to modulate gene expression.

Plant compounds like theobromine are also known as alkaloids, which interact with the body’s cellular machinery. This machinery controls gene activity associated with health and longevity. By modifying gene function, theobromine can improve cardiovascular health and slow the rate of biological aging.

Biological aging is our age based on how our bodies work rather than how many years we have lived. Scientists can identify biological age through “bookmarks” in our DNA that change as we age.

Determining the impact of theobromine on biological age

For this study, the research team examined blood biological age markers in nearly 2,000 people.

To determine biological age, scientists performed two separate tests on the study participants. The first test was to estimate the rate of aging by looking at chemical changes in DNA. The second test focused on telomeres, which are the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. Telomeres become shorter with age, so studying their length is often a popular scientific method for age-related research.

All the test results indicated one thing: people with higher blood theobromine levels also had a younger biological age than their actual age.

The Future of Anti-Aging Theobromine Research

This discovery opened many new avenues for anti-aging research in the future. The research team is already working on a more in-depth analysis of their results.

“This is a very exciting finding, and the next important questions are what is behind this association and how can we further explore the interactions between food metabolites and our epigenome? This approach could lead us to important discoveries in aging, and beyond, in common and rare diseases,” explained lead researcher Ramy Saad.

One of the main questions they hope to answer is whether the theobromine in dark chocolate acts alone to slow biological aging or whether it is assisted by other compounds. Dark chocolate also contains polyphenols, compounds known for their many benefits to human health. Researchers want to discover how these compounds can work together.

The scientists are also keen to emphasize that their research does not suggest that we consume excessive amounts of dark chocolate to control our biological age. Dark chocolate also contains sugar, fats and other compounds known to be harmful to your health. Further research is therefore needed before dark chocolate can be used as an anti-aging agent.

This article does not offer medical advice and should be used for informational purposes only.

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