Chocolate, tea or coffee with zinc could reduce oxidative stress

Aging and low life expectancy are caused, at least in part, by oxidative stress. Professor Ivana Ivanovi-Burmazovi of the Chair of Bioinorganic Chemistry at the Friedrich-Alexander Erlangen-Nürnberg University (FAU), led by Professor Ivana Ivanovi-Burmazovi, discovered that zinc could activate an organic molecule to protect against oxidative stress.

Zinc is a trace element that humans need to stay healthy. FAU researchers, in collaboration with Professor Christian Goldsmith of Auburn University, Alabama, USA, have discovered that zinc can protect against the superoxide responsible for oxidative stress when it is badociated to a component contained in foods such as wine, coffee, tea and chocolate. . This component is a group of hydroquinone present in polyphenols, vegetable substances responsible for smell and taste. Zinc activates hydroquinone groups, producing natural protection against superoxide, a byproduct of human cell respiration that damages the body's biomolecules, such as proteins or lipids, as well as the human genome. Superoxide is thought to play a role in the aging process and in a number of diseases such as inflammation, cancer or neurodegenerative diseases.

New metal complex against superoxide

Hydroquinone alone is not able to break down superoxide. However, if zinc and hydroquinone combine, a metal complex is created that mimics the superoxide dismutase enzyme (SOD). These enzymes protect the body from degradation processes caused by oxidation and have an antioxidant effect. In this way, superoxide can be metabolized and damage to the body avoided; oxidative stress is avoided.

Chocolate, coffee, etc. with added zinc

For the first time, the function of this enzyme has been copied without returning to the redox-active transition metals such as manganese, iron, copper or nickel. Although metals can also have an antioxidant effect, all positive effects are quickly offset by the fact that if they take too much, they can increase oxidative stress. Zinc is much less toxic than the transition metals mentioned above, which makes it possible to create new drugs or supplements with far fewer side effects. It would also be plausible to add zinc to foods containing hydroquinone naturally to improve health. "It is certainly possible that wine, coffee, tea or chocolate will be available in the future with added zinc, but any alcohol content will destroy the positive effects of this combination," Ivanovi-Burmazovi says.

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More information:
Meghan B. Ward et al, superoxide dismutase activity made possible by a redox-active ligand rather than a metal, Nature Chemistry (2018). DOI: 10.1038 / s41557-018-0137-1