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In a new study, people with higher levels of theobromine (a compound found in dark chocolate) in their blood had a biological age that was lower than their chronological age.
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This could be thanks to theobromine’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that support healthy aging.
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Still, more research is needed before experts recommend upping your dark chocolate intake—and there are a couple of downsides to consider.
Most of the data around slowing down the aging process points to eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly. But new research suggests that dark chocolate could have a positive effect, too.
The study, which was published in the journal Aging, linked a compound found in dark chocolate called theobromine with healthier markers of biological aging.
Before you dig into that stash of dark chocolate in the name of longevity, know this: There’s a lot more work that needs to be done before doctors actually recommend eating it for your health. Still, there’s some interesting stuff in here worth knowing. Here’s what the research found, plus what experts want you to keep in mind.
Meet the experts: Leigh Frame, PhD, is the executive director of the Office of Integrative Medicine and Health at George Washington University. Jordana Bell, PhD, is the senior study author and a professor in epigenomics at King’s College London. Jessica Cording, RD, is the author of The Little Book of Game-Changers.
What did the study find?
For the study, researchers looked at health data from nearly 1,700 people living in Europe. The scientists analyzed several elements of the participants’ health, including various compounds that circulated in their blood, chemical changes in their DNA that suggested their pace of aging, and the length of their telomeres, which are protective structures at the end of chromosomes. (Shorter telomere lengths are usually linked with faster biological aging.)
After analyzing the data, the researchers found that people with higher levels of theobromine (again, a compound found in dark chocolate) in their blood had a biological age that was lower than their chronological age. In other words, these aging markers suggested participants were biologically younger than their actual age.
Why might theobromine have this effect?
Theobromine has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, says Jessica Cording, RD, author of The Little Book of Game-Changers. “Part of how it may support healthy aging and a younger biological age is by helping improve blood vessel function, circulation, and cell signaling, which all play a role in how tissues age over time,” she says.
Dark chocolate may have more going for it beyond theobromine. “Cocoa contains a broad mix of polyphenols, especially flavanols, that are more strongly linked to cardiometabolic benefits,” says Leigh Frame, PhD, executive director of the Office of Integrative Medicine and Health at George Washington University.
What’s the takeaway?
This may seem to suggest you should up your dark chocolate intake, but experts say we’re not quite there yet. Dark chocolate also contains sugar and fat, which can work against your health goals, points out Jordana Bell, PhD, senior study author and a professor in epigenomics at King’s College London. Cording agrees. “I’d still recommend enjoying chocolate in moderation,” she says.
Frame also points out that her own research has found that dark chocolate tends to contain measurable levels of lead and cadmium, both of which are linked to serious health issues. “For most adults, small amounts of dark chocolate consumed occasionally are unlikely to create significant heavy metal exposure,” Frame says. “However, frequent consumption, large portions, or combining multiple contaminated products can contribute to cumulative exposure that is worth paying attention to, especially for pregnant individuals and children.”
Ultimately, experts say more research is needed. “This study adds to a growing body of evidence that what we eat can influence markers of biological aging, but it is not a green light to start eating large amounts of dark chocolate,” Frame says. “The study measured theobromine in blood, not how many squares of chocolate people ate, and there is no established ‘dose’ of theobromine for healthy aging.”
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