Most of us consider an afternoon of stuffing our face with chocolates, while washing it down with a big glass of Pinot Noir to be an indulgence, and hardly a healthy one. But it turns out, according to some recent scientific data, that we may actually be turning back the clock when we choose this particular indulgence.
Researchers at both Exeter and Brighton Universities in the UK made the startling discoveries when they started doing research on “splicing factors,” a kind of gene that loses its oomph as we grow older.
Applying compounds that mimic those in some our favorite delicacies, including dark chocolate, red grapes, red wine, and blueberries, the scientists discovered that older cells literally came back to life. Heavy in what are called “flavonoids,” which fight inflammation and disease naturally, the compounds apparently also help to halt the aging process itself.
“Our data suggest that using chemicals to switch back on the major class of genes that are switched off as we age might provide a means to restore function to old cells,” said one of the professors involved in the study.
Even more amazing was how quickly the turnaround took place: in just hours, old cells divided and became a more youthful version of themselves. Dr. Eva Latorre of Exeter was quite excited when she saw this, noting, “’When I saw some of the cells in the culture dish rejuvenating I couldn’t believe it. These old cells were looking like young cells. It was like magic.”
So, ladies, keep a mirror handy the next time you steal some time for yourself with a box of Godiva and a bottle of Cabernet. Maybe you too will see a miraculously better-looking version of yourself emerge on the spot.
If not, you’ll at least have the wine and chocolate to console yourself with.
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