A large-scale study from the COSMOS trial examined whether cocoa extract supplements could reduce age-related inflammation in 598 participants over 60 years old. Researchers measured inflammatory markers at baseline and after one and two years, finding that hsCRP—a marker linked to cardiovascular disease risk—decreased by 8.4% annually in those taking cocoa extract compared to the placebo. This reduction in inflammation may help explain why the larger COSMOS trial found that cocoa supplementation reduced cardiovascular disease mortality by 27%. The anti-inflammatory effects are attributed to flavanols, bioactive compounds found in cocoa beans and other plant-based foods. While cocoa extract isn’t a replacement for healthy lifestyle habits, the findings suggest it may play a beneficial role in managing inflammation and supporting cardiovascular health as people age.
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