New studies suggest that taking cacao pills may reduce the risk of dying from heart or cardiovascular disease.
Studies show that people who take supplements are 27% less likely to die in that condition.
However, it did not reduce the overall likelihood of cardiovascular events – any incident that could damage the heart.
Researchers suggest that findings provide a promising signal that cocoa flavanols may have cardiovascular protective effects.
These findings are worth further investigation to better understand the effects of cocoa flavanols on cardiovascular health.
Dr. Howard Sesso
However, eating a lot of chocolate will not have the same effect. Testing with cocoa extracts containing levels of cocoa flavanols (naturally occurring phytonutrients) cannot be obtained by pushing someone into your favorite treat.
Howard Seso and Joan Manson of the Preventive Medicine Department at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in the United States led a research team that examined the results of cocoa supplements and multivitamin outcome research (Cosmos) studies.
Dr. Seso said: “Overall evidence of both primary and secondary cardiovascular endpoints of cosmos shows promising signals that cocoa flavanol supplements may reduce important cardiovascular events, including death from cardiovascular disease. Will be.
“These findings are worth further investigation to better understand the effects of cocoa flavanols on cardiovascular health.”
Dr. Manson said: “Previous studies have suggested the health benefits of flavanols, compounds found in some plant-based foods such as cocoa, tea, grapes, and berries.
“Cosmos was not a chocolate test. Rather, a rigorous test of a cocoa extract supplement containing levels of cocoa flavanols that cannot be practically consumed from chocolate without adding excess calories, fat, and sugar to the diet. am.”
Researchers said a previous small short-term study found the cardiovascular benefits of cocoa flavanols for blood pressure and vasodilation.
Cosmos also found that common multivitamins did not prevent cancer and cardiovascular events.
Over 21,000 participants were randomized and took daily capsules containing 500 mg cocoa flavanols, multivitamin tablets, or both.
Approximately 410 participants taking cocoa extract and 456 participants taking placebo confirmed the entire cardiovascular event.
The study found that cocoa bean pills reduced the total number of cardiovascular events by 10%, but researchers say this was not statistically significant.
They warn that the findings need to be carefully interpreted and further research is needed.
According to scientists, the study ended about 3.6 years later, so it could be too short to detect if the supplement affected the risk of cancer.
– The findings are published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
