Cocoa and Flavenols

In a Harvard Gazette article from September 30, 2025, Alvin Powell discusses the Cosmos trial, which found that cocoa supplements reduced the risk of cardiovascular death in older adults by 27%. The study suggests that cocoa flavanols lower chronic inflammation, known as "inflammaging," which contributes to age-related diseases. While dark chocolate contains flavanols, the researchers emphasize that concentrated cocoa extracts, rather than candy, are responsible for the protective effects on blood vessels. Article Citation: Powell, A. (2025, September 30). You want chocolate. you need flavanols. Harvard Gazette. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/09/you-want-chocolate-you-need-flavanols/