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A new study investigates the potential life-lengthening properties of chocolate.
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Chocolate contains a powerful compound called theobromine.
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Below, experts explain the findings.
We’re conditioned to skip dessert for better health, but new research has us reconsidering that choice: Chocolate may help slow aging, according to a new study.
How so? It all comes down to the measurement of biological or epigenetic age, which is “a way scientists estimate how old our cells appear based on chemical markers on our DNA,” explains Sowmya Kurtakoti, M.D., system medical director of geriatrics and outpatient palliative services at Hartford HealthCare. “These markers can be influenced by things like diet, stress, smoking, physical activity, and chronic illness.”
Meet the Experts: Sowmya Kurtakoti, M.D., system medical director of geriatrics and outpatient palliative services at Hartford HealthCare; and Mark Houston, M.D., chair for cardiovascular education at the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
In other words, super healthy people may have a biological age that’s “younger” than their real, chronological age. And according to this research, a compound found in chocolate, theobromine, may be responsible for turning back the clock and therefore potentially helping you live longer.
The study, published in Aging-US, collected information from 509 twin genetic females within a United Kingdom-based health database and found that people who had higher levels of theobromine in their blood tended to show signs of slower biological aging. Aging was measured at a cellular level using epigenetic clocks, or tools that look at DNA and lifestyle, to predict a person’s longevity.
What component of chocolate may slow down aging?
“Theobromine is a bitter-tasting stimulant alkaloid found in cacao beans, tea, and kola nuts. It’s chemically similar to caffeine but milder, making it the key compound responsible for chocolate’s stimulating effects,” explains Mark Houston, M.D., chair for cardiovascular education at the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. It’s responsible for the potential blood pressure-friendly effects of dark chocolate that you may have heard about because it may slightly relax blood vessels and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, adds Dr. Kurtakoti.
It’s important to note that, because epigenetic clocks can only make predictions based on provided DNA samples, the findings do not indicate a direct cause-and-effect relationship between chocolate consumption and longevity. “This does not mean study participants were proven to live longer or avoid disease—only that certain aging markers in their cells looked ‘younger’ compared to their actual age,” says Dr. Kurtakoti. “Importantly, this was an association, not proof that theobromine caused slower aging.”
Should I eat more chocolate?
The blood levels of theobromine in study participants reflected their recent intake, not long-term habits, notes Dr. Kurtakoti. “People who eat more dark chocolate may also exercise more, eat healthier overall, and have higher income or access to healthcare,” she adds.
Also, large amounts of chocolate contain sugar, fat, and calories that “could increase weight, blood sugar, or cholesterol—which can actually worsen long-term health,” says Dr. Kurtakoti, meaning that extra chocolate, sadly, won’t be prescribed based on these findings alone. However, it’s totally fine to continue enjoying the sweet in moderation—dark chocolate preferred, as it has the highest concentration of cocoa (as opposed to, say, milk chocolate) and therefore more theobromine, which could still, theoretically, be beneficial given an otherwise healthy lifestyle.
The bottom line
“Small amounts of dark chocolate can be part of a healthy diet. It should not be treated as a medicine or anti-aging strategy,” says Dr. Kurtakoti. “This study supports a bigger idea: What we eat may influence how our bodies age at a cellular level.”
Rather than honing in on one food or compound to add years to your life, Dr. Kurtakoti recommends focusing on a well-rounded, evidence-based healthy lifestyle that prioritizes a balanced, plant-rich diet, regular exercise, no smoking, stress management, and restful sleep. “If you have questions about diet, supplements, or aging, talk with your healthcare provider about what’s right for you,” she concludes.
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