Cocoa extracts have been shown to help reduce inflammation in the body and may lower the risk of diseases related to aging, particularly in older individuals, according to a significant new study.
In this research, conducted by scientists at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, an average group of 70-year-olds took either 500 milligrams of cocoa extract or a placebo daily for two years. The participants consuming cocoa compounds experienced an annual decrease of 8.4% in sensitive C-reactive protein (HSCRP), a key marker for systemic inflammation, when compared to the placebo group.
Findings from this study, published in the UK Journal Era and Aging, explore both cocoa supplements and multivitamin outcomes. It’s one of the largest clinical tests on cocoa flavanols, plant-based compounds known for their anti-inflammatory properties, involving over 21,000 participants.
Researchers observed that the limited sample size allowed for a more accurate tracking of changes in HSCRP over time, but acknowledged this doesn’t represent all participants in the trial.
Cocoa, essential to chocolate production from roasted beans, is associated with various health properties. Inflammation plays a role in the body’s defenses against injuries and infections—short-term, it’s beneficial. However, it can linger at low levels as people age, which might damage blood vessels, muscles, bones, and the brain over time.
Dr. Howard Sesso from Brigham and Women’s Hospital highlighted that inflammation can signal long-term processes tied to numerous age-related illnesses, including cardiovascular disease.
Interestingly, while chocolate bars contain sugars and fats, cocoa capsules provide a concentrated, healthier option. In previous surveys, years of cocoa flavanol supplementation had linked to a notable reduction in cardiovascular disease deaths by 27%. This new study may shed light on why that was the case.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, with a cardiovascular-related death occurring roughly every 34 seconds.
Dr. Sesso noted that while cocoa extracts shouldn’t replace a healthy lifestyle, their potential to regulate age-related inflammation is encouraging. He emphasized the importance of a varied and colorful diet rich in flavanols beyond just cocoa.
While the study did reveal a decrease in one significant inflammation marker, it’s essential to point out that there’s still no definitive proof that individuals will live longer or prevent diseases. More research is needed, as Dr. Mark Kovacs, an exercise physiologist, remarked that findings should be viewed as “promising but preliminary.”
Kovacs cautioned that even though the drop in HSCRP levels is positive, key outcomes like heart attacks or strokes haven’t been demonstrated yet. He remarked that dietary or supplementary strategies targeting inflammation are part of what a healthy aging approach should include but must work alongside lifestyle fundamentals like exercise, sleep, and nutritious eating.
The study primarily involved healthy, older white adults and used specific extracts. Therefore, there’s a need for a larger, more diverse study to further validate these benefits. Dr. Sesso believes the outcomes should still remain relevant across various populations. The strong scientific interest in cocoa flavanols may drive further investigations into their cardiovascular health role.
This research was funded by the National Institutes of Health, with additional support and resources from Mars Edge and Pfizer. Details regarding affiliations with the University of Science and Technology in China and Harvard’s Chan School of Public Health were disclosed, yet they did not influence the analysis conducted.
