Chocolate has a positive effect on slowing down the aging process, say scientists from Cambridge.
According to the researchers, their scientific discovery turns the sweet temptation into a valuable anti-aging product.
The technology increases the absorption of cocoa flavanols contained in chocolate. They support the health of the skin and activate its protective functions, which is useful for slowing down the aging process.
For the purposes of the study, the scientists enriched the chocolate content with the ingredient Coco-Lycosome. This increases the effect of cocoa flavanols up to 20 times compared to unmodified chocolate.
The new technology does not affect the taste or texture of chocolate, and the added ingredient is safe and approved by the food industry, explains the lead researcher Dr. Ivan Petyaev.
Another study by British scientists also found that consuming a few pieces of natural chocolate every day slows down the aging process and prevents the appearance of wrinkles.
For three months, a group of volunteers consumed natural chocolate daily, another - plain milk. The results of the study show that the skin of the participants in the first group copes better with the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays.
According to experts, dark chocolate also reduces the risk of developing skin cancer.
The beneficial properties of natural chocolate are due to the high content of antioxidants, scientists say. The higher the percentage of cocoa in the bar, the stronger its therapeutic effect.