Cocoa improves age-associated health and extends lifespan in C. elegans

BACKGROUND: Cocoa, one of the richest dietary sources polyphenols has been studied for its health promoting effects, but how long-term consumption cocoa affects age-associated and lifespan is not well defined. OBJECTIVE: The objective this study was to determine effects on in C. elegans METHODS: standard E. coli OP50 diet wild type supplemented with powder starting from L1 stage until they die. Body length area were measured as indicators worm nutrition. Age associated determined at different stages life day 4, 8 12 using locomotion, thermotolerance, cognition mitochondrial function. In addition, evaluated. RESULTS: Cocoa improved decline neuromuscular Both mean median extended by supplementation. However, maximum affected. showed beneficial thermotolerance all ages (more prominent young (day 4) middle 8) age). Further, age-related learning deficits, short-term memory loss dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term seemed improve extends