Cocoa Extract Shows Anti-Aging Potential, Taming Inflammaging and Cardiovascular Risk
A large-scale study of older adults suggests that cocoa extract, a concentrated source of flavanols found in cocoa and other plant foods, may help slow the body’s aging-related inflammation and, in turn, reduce cardiovascular risk. In a new analysis of data from a major trial, researchers found meaningful changes in blood markers of inflammation over two years among participants who took cocoa extract regularly, compared with those who received a placebo. The findings come from theCOSMOS trial, a long-running investigation into whether flavanol-rich cocoa can influence aging processes and heart health. While researchers stress that cocoa is not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle, the results add to a growing body of evidence that plant-based foods may play a supportive role in healthy aging.