Zinc-rich chocolate and tea will keep you young

Zinc may protect from oxidative stress when taken together with a component found in foodstuffs such as wine, coffee, tea and chocolate, a study claims. Ageing and a low life expectancy are caused, at least partly, by oxidative stress, said researchers from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany. The study, published in the journal Nature Chemistry, discovered that zinc can activate an organic molecule that helps to protect against oxidative stress.

“It is certainly possible that wine, coffee, tea or chocolate may well be available in the future with added zinc,” said Ivana Ivanovi-Burmazov from University of ErlangenNuremberg. Zinc is a trace mineral humans need in order to remain healthy. Researchers, including those from Auburn University in the US, found that zinc can protect against the superoxide responsible for oxidative stress when taken together with a component found in foodstuffs such as wine, coffee, tea and chocolate.

This component is a hydroquinone group found in polyphenols — the plant substances responsible for smell and taste, researchers said. Zinc activates the hydroquinone groups, producing natural protection against superoxide, a byproduct of human cell respiration that damages the body’s own biomolecules, for example, proteins or lipids, as well as the human genome.

Superoxide is thought to have a role to play in the ageing process and a number of illnesses such as inflammation, cancer or neurodegenerative diseases. Hydroquinone alone is not capable of breaking down superoxide.

Zinc is much less toxic than the transition metals, making it possible to create new medication or supplements with considerably fewer side effects, researchers said. It would also be plausible to add zinc to food containing hydroquinone naturally to boost health, they said.