It was found that individuals with high levels of theobromine had a biological age lower than their chronological age. However, similar results for caffeine and other substances found in chocolate and coffee were not obtained.
Jordana Bell, one of the researchers, emphasized the importance of these findings but warned against increasing chocolate consumption, especially sweet chocolate, as it may lead to undesirable consequences.
According to the authors of the study, biological age reflects the overall state of the body: the lower it is, the better the organs and tissues function. Nevertheless, chocolate should not be viewed as an anti-aging remedy, as its high calorie content and levels of sugar and fats can be harmful.
Clinical geneticist Rami Saad expressed optimism regarding the study's results, noting that the next step will be to investigate the mechanisms underlying this connection, as well as the interaction of dietary metabolites with the epigenome. In the future, it is planned to clarify whether theobromine acts independently or in combination with other cocoa components, such as polyphenols.
