黑巧克力中的“长寿密码”？最新研究发现这种物质可延缓衰老时钟

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a study linking the dietary compound theobromine, found in cocoa, to a significant slowdown in epigenetic aging, suggesting potential health benefits related to diet and aging [1][3]. Group 1: Understanding Epigenetic Aging - Epigenetic aging refers to the biological age of an individual, which may differ from chronological age, as it is influenced by DNA modifications over time [5]. - The study utilized two well-known epigenetic clocks: GrimAge clock, which predicts lifespan and healthspan, and DNAmTL clock, which estimates telomere length, a marker of cellular aging [6][7]. Group 2: Key Findings - In the TwinsUK cohort of 509 healthy women, higher blood levels of theobromine were associated with a lower GrimAge acceleration and longer telomeres, indicating slower aging [9]. - The findings were replicated in the KORA cohort of 1160 individuals, confirming the robustness and universality of theobromine's anti-aging effects across different populations [9]. Group 3: Implications and Future Directions - The study suggests that theobromine's effects are specific and independent of other similar compounds like caffeine, reinforcing its unique role in aging [16]. - Future research should focus on clinical trials to directly test whether theobromine supplementation can actively slow epigenetic aging and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms [20].