Stress protection: chocolate, coffee and zinc tea delay aging

Have researchers from the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) discovered a miracle cure for the aging process? A press release from the university now provides information: According to aging and low life expectancy, oxidative stress would be the cause. A research team from the Department of Bioinorganic Chemistry has discovered with American scientists that zinc activates an organic molecule, etc. Protection against oxidative stress can train. The results were published in Nature Chemistrubl.

Zinc in wine and chocolate help fight stress

According to researchers, zinc is one of the trace elements we need to stay healthy. This zinc but just with a food component such as Wine, coffee, tea and chocolate Together, FAU scientists, in collaboration with Auburn University in Alabama, discovered protection against superoxide causing oxidative stress.

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This component is a group of hydroquinone present in polyphenols – the phytochemicals responsible for odor and taste. Zinc activates the hydroquinone groups to provide natural protection against superoxide, an intermediate of human cellular respiration that damages the body's own biomolecules, such as proteins or fats, as well as the genome. So it's at the Aging process and a variety of diseases like inflammation, cancer or neurodegenerative diseases.

New metal complex against superoxide

Hydroquinone alone is unable to break down superoxide. However, when zinc and hydroquinone combine to form a metal complex mimicking a superoxide dismutase enzyme (SOD). Such an enzyme protects the body from decomposition processes caused by oxidation. It has an antioxidant effect. In this way, superoxide can be metabolized and damage to the body can be avoided: Oxidative stress is avoided.

Zinc Chocolate, Zinc Coffee and Co.

What is unique about these results is that the function of this enzyme is modeled without the use of redox-active transition metals such as manganese, iron, copper or nickel. Although metals can also have an antioxidant effect, this effect is quickly reversed: in case of overdose, they even promote oxidative stress. Zinc is much less toxic than the transition metals mentioned above, allowing new drugs or supplements with fewer side effects.

One can also imagine foods naturally containing hydroquinone and containing added zinc to promote the health of consumers. "It's quite possible that wine, coffee, tea or chocolate are zinc plated, but any alcohol content will spoil the positive effects of this combination," says researcher Ivana Ivanovic-Burmazovic.