New research suggests cocoa extract could help combat ‘inflammaging’ in older adults, potentially reducing the risk of age-related diseases through its anti-inflammatory effects. The findings, published in the British journal Age and Ageing, are part of the larger Cocoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS), which involves over 21,000 participants. Scientists from Mass General Brigham in Boston tracked nearly 600 adults averaging 70 years old, who took either 500 milligrams of cocoa extract or a placebo daily for two years.
The study revealed that those taking cocoa compounds experienced an 8.4% slower annual increase in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), a key marker for systemic inflammation, compared to the placebo group. While the results are promising, the researchers emphasized the need for more studies to confirm the long-term health benefits. Inflammation, which is beneficial in the short term, can become a persistent issue in older adults, known as ‘inflammaging,’ which may contribute to diseases like cardiovascular disease.
Study author Dr. Howard Sesso highlighted that the earlier findings from COSMOS showed a 27% reduction in cardiovascular disease deaths after several years of cocoa flavanol supplementation. However, the new findings may provide insights into why this occurs. The study also noted that while cocoa extract may help the body age more smoothly, it is not a replacement for a healthy lifestyle. Experts stress the importance of a diverse, colorful diet rich in flavanols from all plant-based food sources, not just cocoa. In fact, the capsules provided a concentrated dose without sugar or fat, but processing often strips chocolate of antioxidants.
The researchers warned that while the study shows lower hsCRP levels, it does not yet prove that people will live longer or avoid disease. Mark Kovacs, a longevity expert, cautioned that these results should be viewed as promising but preliminary. He added that the hard outcomes, such as fewer heart attacks, strokes, or improvements in mobility and independence, have not been demonstrated yet. Dietary or supplemental approaches targeting inflammation are part of the future of healthy aging, but they should complement, not replace, foundational lifestyle factors like regular exercise, stress management, and nutrient-rich diets such as the Mediterranean diet.
Despite the encouraging results, the study had limitations. It mostly involved healthy, older White adults and tested only one specific extract. Researchers acknowledged that the results may not differ significantly in more diverse populations, though further studies are necessary. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health, with Mars Edge and Pfizer supplying the study pills and infrastructure. However, the companies had no role in the analysis, as disclosed by the researchers affiliated with the University of Science and Technology of China and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.