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

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