Scientific researchers have found funding in unexpected places, including support for clinical trials from Mars, a company known for candy bars. This unusual partnership, combined with support from a well-known multivitamin brand, has led to the creation of the COSMOS (Cocoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study) project. The purpose of COSMOS is to examine the health effects of combining cocoa extract and a multivitamin for elderly individuals.
Described as an “important partnership across academic, industry, and government collaborators,” COSMOS is based at two renowned academic research centers: the Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. Researchers at these institutions have separately and collectively evaluated the benefits of cocoa extract (sponsored by Mars) and Centrum Silver (associated with the multivitamin brand) in relation to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and the effects of aging on the brain.
Unfortunately, for chocolate lovers like myself, studies on cocoa extract have shown no impact on overall cardiovascular events, and only a potential benefit for those who consistently took the supplements. Additionally, there were no significant cognitive improvements associated with cocoa extract. However, this doesn’t mean we can’t continue to enjoy chocolate for its own sake.
The findings regarding multivitamins have been more mixed. While there was no increased risk of certain cancers or cardiovascular disease associated with the multivitamin, the benefits in these areas were inconclusive. However, results regarding brain health are more promising. One study from COSMOS demonstrated that older individuals who took the multivitamin experienced better verbal recall after three years compared to those who took a placebo. The estimated benefit was equivalent to preventing over three years of age-related memory loss.
The study participants, totaling 3,562 individuals, underwent assessments of various memory capacities, including immediate recall, memory retention, attention, and recognition of new objects. The results showed a significant improvement in immediate recall compared to the placebo group.
These findings differ from a previous COSMOS study that analyzed the effects of the multivitamin on memory components collectively and separately. In that preliminary analysis, attention, overall cognition, and memory all improved in participants taking the supplement.
These results also contrast with another extensive study published a decade ago, known as the Physicians’ Health Study II. This study, which exclusively involved male doctors aged 65 and above, showed no cognitive benefits of the same multivitamin (Centrum Silver) on overall cognition.
It’s important to note that these studies have some limitations. Some COSMOS trials required participants to have online access and their own computers, and the majority of participants were White individuals with at least some college education. The participants in the Physicians’ Health Study were also well-educated. Therefore, these studies may not represent the general population accurately. Additionally, the multivitamin formulation used in the studies was specific to the company that manufactured it, so the effects of different formulations remain unknown.
Furthermore, there appears to be a pattern in these studies and others related to brain and overall body health. The greater the baseline condition, the smaller the potential improvements. Participants who are well-nourished, well-educated, and have access to the internet may have limited room for improvement in brain health or other aspects of their well-being. On the other hand, individuals with existing health issues or lower initial memory scores may experience more significant gains. The COSMOS findings hint at this pattern, as individuals with pre-existing heart disease may have greater cognitive improvements with the multivitamin.
Finally, in a separate analysis conducted by COSMOS researchers, a link was found between increased dietary flavanol intake and improved memory. Flavanols are compounds found in chocolate and other plant-based foods that are believed to offer brain benefits. Specifically, improvements were observed in individuals with low flavanol intake at the beginning of the study.
Ultimately, the advice for maintaining the health of both our brains and bodies remains unchanged: consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables (and perhaps indulge in some chocolate), as supplements may not be necessary.
About the Author:
Emily Willingham is a science journalist, biologist, and author based in Marin. You can find her on Bluesky @ejwillingham or on Instagram at emily.willingham.phd.
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