Key Takeaways
Higher blood levels of theobromine, a compound in cocoa, were linked to lower biological age in a new study.Dark chocolate contains antioxidants, such as polyphenols and flavanols, that may support overall health.Experts recommend enjoying small amounts of high-cocoa dark chocolate in moderation.

Many people consider dark chocolate a healthy dessert because cocoa contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Now, new research suggests cocoa may also be linked to slower biological aging, adding to growing interest in dark chocolate’s potential health benefits.

A Compound in Cocoa Is Linked to Slower Aging

A new study published in the journal Aging found that people with higher blood levels of theobromine—a compound found in cocoa—had a lower biological age than their actual age.

Biological age reflects how old your cells appear to be and is linked to the risk of conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. 

Theobromine has been shown to help improve blood pressure and inflammation, and it seems reasonable that this compound would have an association with positive biological aging markers, according to Megan Wroe, MS, RD, CNE, a wellness manager and registered dietitian at the Wellness Center at Providence St. Jude Medical Center, who was not involved with the study.

However, more research is needed to better understand the connection. The study only shows an association and does not prove that eating dark chocolate will slow biological aging.

Antioxidants in Dark Chocolate Promote Healthy Aging

Beyond theobromine, dark chocolate contains other health-promoting nutrients, including iron, zinc, magnesium, and antioxidants.

Cocoa is especially rich in polyphenols and flavanols, two antioxidants that may help lower the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Dark chocolate has about five times as many of these compounds as milk or white chocolate.

To get a meaningful amount of these antioxidants, choose dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa, Wroe said. “Dark chocolate is not the only source of antioxidants and flavanols. If you are someone who does not enjoy dark chocolate, do not feel that you have to make the switch,” she added.

Tea and colorful plant foods, like plums, strawberries, grapes, and blueberries, also provide flavanols found in cocoa.

Dark Chocolate Plays a Role in Brain Health

Antioxidants in dark chocolate may support brain health, stimulate cognitive function, and reduce Alzheimer’s disease risk. A 2022 study found that 85% dark chocolate offers prebiotic effects and may help improve mood via the gut-brain axis. Another study linked 72% dark chocolate with improved fatigue and brain health.

Small amounts of dark chocolate provide important antioxidants and support circulation, making it a good choice for healthy aging for some people, according to Jen Bruning, MS, RDN, LDN, a Chicago-based registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Enjoy One Ounce of Dark Chocolate as a Sweet Treat

If you want to enjoy dark chocolate for health benefits, try not to over-indulge.

“One-half to one ounce makes for a nice sweet treat after a meal or with a more substantial snack. Because dark chocolate is so rich in flavor, a smaller serving can be really satisfying while also keeping the fat and total calories in check,” Bruning said.

One ounce of 85% dark chocolate contains about 170 calories and 14 grams of fat.

“This is one of those ‘more is not necessarily better’ things,” Bruning said. “Too much, too often, and it can lead to stomach upset, unwanted weight gain, or losing out on other nutrients because you’re eating so much of one food and not enough of another.”

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Samanta S, Sarkar T, Chakraborty R, et al. Dark chocolate: an overview of its biological activity, processing, and fortification approaches. Curr Res Food Sci. 2022;5:1916-1943. doi:10.1016/j.crfs.2022.10.017

Johns Hopkins Medicine. The benefits of having a healthy relationship with chocolate.

Saad R, Costeira R, Matías-García PR, et al. Theobromine is associated with slower epigenetic ageing. Aging. 2025;17(12):2902-2915. doi:10.18632/aging.206344

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The Nutrition Source. Dark chocolate.

Harvard Health Publishing. Eating diverse flavonoid foods may provide extra health protection.

Shin JH, Kim CS, Cha J, et al. Consumption of 85% cocoa dark chocolate improves mood in association with gut microbial changes in healthy adults: a randomized controlled trial. J Nutr Biochem. 2022;99:108854. doi:10.1016/j.jnutbio.2021.108854

Nemoto K, Kokubun K, Ogata Y, Koike Y, Arai T, Yamakawa Y. Dark chocolate intake may reduce fatigue and mediate cognitive function and gray matter volume in healthy middle-aged adults. Behav Neurol. 2022;2022:1-8. doi:10.1155/2022/6021811

U.S. Department of Agriculture. 85% c dark chocolate.

Stephanie Brown

By Stephanie Brown

Brown is a nutrition writer who received her Didactic Program in Dietetics certification from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Previously, she worked as a nutrition educator and culinary instructor in New York City.

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