Is the fountain of youth actually a dark-chocolate fondue? a cup of tea for stronger bones; alcohol and cancer – Morning Medical Update

Dark chocolate linked to slower biological aging

A new study from King’s College London suggests that higher blood levels of theobromine — a cocoa compound abundant in dark chocolate — are associated with a younger biological age. Researchers analyzed epigenetic aging markers and telomere length in more than 1,600 adults across two European cohorts and found that those with more circulating theobromine appeared biologically younger than their chronological age. The effect did not extend to other cocoa or coffee metabolites.

Tea tied to stronger bones in older women

A decade-long study of nearly 10,000 women suggests that a daily cup of tea may offer a small boost to hip bone density — enough, researchers say, to matter at the population level. The study was published in Nutrients.

Coffee, meanwhile, appears generally safe in moderate amounts, but heavy consumption ‚ that’s more than five cups a day, in this case — was associated with lower bone mineral density (BMD), especially in women who also drank more alcohol. The findings add a bit of nuance to everyday beverage choices for aging patients: tea’s catechins may support bone formation, while caffeine’s effects on calcium metabolism could explain coffee’s downsides at higher doses. The differences are modest, but for older women, a simple daily tea habit might provide a gentle lift to long-term bone health.

New research reinforces cancer risks even at moderate drinking levels

A sweeping systematic review from Florida Atlantic University offers a sobering reminder heading into the holidays: even modest alcohol consumption raises the risk of several common cancers. Analyzing 62 U.S. studies, researchers found clear, dose-dependent links between drinking frequency and cancers of the breast, colon, liver, upper aerodigestive tract and stomach.

Vulnerable groups, including older adults, people with obesity or diabetes and some racial and socioeconomic populations, faced even higher risks. Beverage type mattered in some cases, with white wine and beer linked to greater risk than spirits. The full study was published in Cancer Epidemiology.