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A new study published in Age and Ageing suggests that daily cocoa extract supplements may help reduce age-related inflammation linked to heart disease. Led by Dr. Howard Sesso of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the research followed older adults—women over 65 and men over 60—for two years to see how a 500 mg daily dose of cocoa extract affected their inflammation markers. The supplement, rich in plant-based antioxidants called flavanols, appeared to slow the rise of key inflammation indicators that tend to increase with age.
The researchers tracked five inflammation biomarkers, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), a well-known predictor of heart disease and stroke risk. Participants who took cocoa extract saw their hsCRP levels drop by about 8% per year compared to those taking a placebo. The supplement also increased levels of interferon-γ, a protein that helps regulate immune function, by roughly 7% per year. These effects were most pronounced in people who already had higher inflammation levels at the start of the study.
Not all biomarkers showed significant improvement—other inflammation-related proteins like IL-6 saw smaller or inconsistent changes, particularly between men and women. Still, the results highlight hsCRP as the most responsive marker to lifestyle and nutritional interventions. Dr. Sesso emphasized that while cocoa extract shows promise for lowering inflammation, more research is needed to confirm the findings across more diverse populations.
Experts say these results are “encouraging,” suggesting that cocoa extract could become a useful add-on for heart health in older adults. However, physicians like Dr. Raj Dasgupta caution that a reduction in hsCRP doesn’t guarantee protection against heart disease, and the long-term safety of cocoa extract supplements remains under study. For now, maintaining a healthy diet and consulting with a healthcare provider remain the best strategies for aging well.
