Effects of 2-year cocoa extract supplementation on inflammaging biomarkers in older US adults
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Between 2014 and 2020, Brigham and Women’s Hospital led the COSMOS trial, a large-scale, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with 21,442 participants over 60 years old, finding that cocoa extract supplementation decreased cardiovascular disease mortality by 27% (see).
In this new study, researchers collected and analyzed blood samples of 598 COSMOS participants to measure several inflammaging biomarkers: three pro-inflammatory proteins (hsCRP, IL-6, and TNF-α), one anti-inflammatory protein (IL-10), and one immune-mediating protein (IFN-γ). Comparing changes in these biomarkers measured at baseline, 1, and 2 years follow-up, hsCRP levels decreased by 8.4% each year compared with placebo. The decrease in hsCRP suggests an explanation for the cardio-protective effects seen with cocoa extract supplement in the larger COSMOS trial, where participants experienced a reduction in cardiovascular disease death.
Results
The mean age was 70.0 ± 5.6 years, and 49.8% were female. Cocoa extract supplementation significantly decreased hsCRP levels compared with placebo, with a between-group difference in yearly percentage change relative to baseline levels of −8.4% (95% CI, −14.1% to −2.3%; nominal P = .008; Holm-adjusted P value = .039). Moreover, cocoa extract increased IFN-γ with a 6.8% (95% CI, 1.5% to 12.2%, nominal P = .011; Holm-adjusted P value = .043) difference in yearly percentage change versus placebo. The effects of cocoa extract on other inflammatory markers were not significant (all adjusted P values >.05).
Conclusion
Cocoa extract supplementation significantly decreased hsCRP, supporting a role in modulating the chronic inflammaging process as a potential mechanism underlying its cardio-protective effects, including a 27% reduction in cardiovascular disease death in the COSMOS trial. The biological effect of increased IFN-γ by cocoa extract warrants further exploration.
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@DavidPS this is interesting. I looked for a cocoa extract and found many, but they don’t tend to list the specific content of the polyphenols. There was one in particular that was mentioned at a dose of 80mg, (so it seemed like the researchers thought it was particularly significant).
I was looking into it because I was curious if simply eating cocoa powder would be an effective means of achieving the same results. I assume not as extracts tend to have more potency, but this may be difficult to replicate. Anyone have any insights.
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@evan-hinkle said in Effects of 2-year cocoa extract supplementation on inflammaging biomarkers in older US adults:
There was one in particular that was mentioned at a dose of 80mg, (so it seemed like the researchers thought it was particularly significant).
I would not put too much credence in 80 mg. The study below shows that 70% cocoa dark chocolate consumption can benefit verbal episodic memory two hours post consumption in healthy young adults relative to a white chocolate control. These findings support the notion that everyday available portions (35 g or 35,000 mg) of dark chocolate can confer benefits to the brain in healthy consumers.
I suspect that the 80mg was used for safety reasons. Perhaps to get the study approved.
