Chocolate, coffee and zinc tea protect against oxidative stress and delay aging

Nutrition experts recommend zinc as a food additive

Staying young for a long time places people in a good position on the list of priorities of most people. But why are we aging and can this process be slowed down or slowed down? According to a German research team, zinc can help slow down aging and develop better overall resistance to disease.

Researchers from the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg have been studying ways to reduce oxidative stress, which is at least partly responsible for the aging process and a reduced life expectancy. In collaboration with American researchers, the team discovered that zinc offers protection against oxidative stress. Especially, it is taken in combination with certain foods such as chocolate, tea or coffee. The results of the study were recently published in the journal "Nature Chemistry".

Zinc – a new fountain of youth?

The research team around Professor Dr. Ivana Ivanović-Burmazović discovered that the trace element protects zinc from superoxides. Superoxides form in the body as a result of the use of oxygen. These highly reactive molecules damage many cells, proteins and lipids, as well as the human genome. In this way, aging is accelerated. This process is called oxidative stress. Zinc alone, however, can not stop this process. As the researchers report, zinc can only develop its protective effect when it is taken in combination with certain plant substances, polyphenols. They are found for example in coffee, tea and chocolate, but also in wine.

How is protection?

According to the research team, zinc activates the so-called hydroquinone group in polyphenols. Thus, when zinc and hydroquinone combine, an enzyme is created that, on the one hand, has an antioxidant effect and, on the other hand, protects the body from the degradation processes caused by it. # 39; oxidation. The harmful superoxides are metabolized before they harm the body. Thus, oxidative stress can be reduced or even avoided.

What are the risks of superoxides?

The research team reports that superoxides, as a byproduct of human cell respiration, are at least partially responsible for the human aging process. In addition, superoxides are believed to promote many diseases such as inflammation, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

Zinc as a food additive for coffee, tea and chocolate?

According to the researchers, other metals such as manganese, iron, copper or nickel also have an antioxidant effect. Unlike zinc, oxidative stress can even increase with these metals, if you take too much. In contrast, zinc is much less toxic. New drugs or foods could be supplemented with zinc without significant side effects. This could promote the health of consumers. "It is quite possible that in the future, wine, coffee, tea or chocolate with zinc will be available," Ivana Ivanović-Burmazović said in a press release.

Beware of alcohol and zinc

Although the wine also contains hydroquinone and therefore has an antioxidant effect in combination with zinc, the professor points out that alcohol can not be considered beneficial to health. "Any alcohol content would destroy the positive effects of this combination," says the expert. (Vb)