Can chocolate actually protect your heart or are we giving candy a health halo it doesn't deserve?

Dr. Howard Sesso from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School joins Chuck Carroll to reveal what the landmark COSMOS trial discovered about cocoa extract, cardiovascular disease and cognition.

The randomized clinical trial included more than 21,000 participants. One secondary outcome showed a 27% reduction in cardiovascular disease death among participants assigned to cocoa extract. However, the primary cardiovascular outcome did not reach statistical significance. Dr. Sesso explains what both findings mean and why the distinction matters.

You'll also learn:

• Whether dark or bitter chocolate is automatically healthier
• The difference between cocoa, cacao and cocoa flavanols
• Why cocoa powder and cacao nibs may be better choices
• Cocoa's effects on inflammation and cognition
• Flavan-3-ols sources and why they matter
• Why the findings still need to be replicated

Exam Roomie of the Week

• Charles Shryock

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🍫 COSMOS Trial

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📗 Howard Sesso Additional Research

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This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.

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