Mental Health

Chocolate Can Now Slow Down Ageing Process: Scientists find Wonder Modification

By Staff Reporter | Update Date: May 30, 2012 11:53 AM EDT

Chocolate lovers can be guilt free. The sinful bar of chocolate can now slow down the ageing process, scientists say!

Researchers from Cambridge say they have found a way to transform chocolate into an anti-ageing wonder drug. According to them, the technology will make the body absorb cocoa flavanols - molecules contained in chocolate that improves skin oxygenation, hence slowing down the ageing process.

Scientists at biotechnology specialist Lycotec have apparently modified chocolate adding an ingredient developed by them called Coco-Lycosome, reports Mail Online.

According to the researchers, the addition of Coco-Lycosome boosts up the power of cocoa flavanols by up to 20 times thus making a small chunk of modified chocolate have the same benefits as two bars of Cadbury Dairy Milk, according to the researchers.

"Two bars a day may be good news for chocoholics but not everybody loves chocolate that much," Lycotec founder Dr Ivan Petyaev told The Grocer magazine.

"But now everyone can benefit from the intrinsic values of cocoa flavanols without compromising their health and habits," he says.

Also, Petyaev added that the modification of the chocolates does not change its taste or texture and accepted by the food industry.

However, nutritionist Dr Carrie Ruxton says that although the whole idea sounds interesting, there needs to be more evidence and studies before it is made available in the market.

"They are definitely on the right track. Flavanols are clunky molecules and there have been problems with absorption so it sounds interesting. But before I get excited I want some concrete end points that the consumer would experience. And you always have to balance the benefits with any detrimental effects," she said.

"If you are looking at increased consumption of chocolate you will see an increase in calories and saturated fat," she added.

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