A new study published in the journal Age and Aging has shown that cocoa supplements may have surprising anti-aging benefits, including reducing levels of inflammatory biomarkers and potentially protecting the heart.
The study was a large, randomized, placebo-controlled trial featuring nearly 600 older adults. Participants were given either 500 mg of cocoa flavanols or a placebo every day for two years. Several inflammatory biomarkers were measured in blood samples from each participant at baseline, Year 1, and Year 2. Previous, related research showed that cocoa flavanol supplementation decreased cardiovascular disease mortality by 27% in older adults. This study sought to further determine how cocoa flavanol supplementation impacts inflammatory biomarkers over the long term, which could help determine the effects of cocoa supplementation on long-term health and inflammation.
The results showed that participants who took cocoa flavanol supplements showed a significant decrease in hsCRP, an inflammatory biomarker, each year during the two-year trial compared to those who took a placebo. The decrease in this inflammatory biomarker shows that cocoa flavanol supplementation may help modulate chronic inflammation in older results. This result further suggests the mechanism by which cocoa flavanol supplementation decreases cardiovascular disease mortality.
The authors of the study noted that cocoa supplementation cannot and should not replace other aspects of a healthy lifestyle, such as getting enough exercise and eating a whole food-based diet. However, these results do suggest that cocoa may be a useful supplement for decreasing inflammation as we age and potentially lowering our risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Cocoa is one of many foods containing flavanols, which are antioxidant compounds associated with lower inflammation and other health benefits. Common sources of flavanols include tea, berries, apples, and most vegetables. Increased flavanol intake has been associated with many health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease and cognitive issues as we age.
Sources: Age and Aging, Science Daily
