In 2024, Americans spent more than $21 billion on chocolate treats. And while 40% of people say milk chocolate is their favorite, 28% like dark chocolate best.

It's the dark chocolate that contains less added sugar and more of the nutrient-rich cacao that delivers anti-inflammatory, heart-friendly, anticancer polyphenols, antioxidants, and flavanols.

That cacao, which can be made into an extract, is even used in cosmetics (good for the skin) and as a supplement. When taken daily, it can decrease blood pressure, and according to data gathered from 2014 to 2020 in the COSMOS clinical trial, lower the risk of death from cardiovascular disease in people ages 60 and over by 27%.

National Cancer Institute research papers also say cacao protects healthy cells from DNA damage.

Now a study in the journal Age & Aging — which used additional COSMOS data from nearly 600 subjects — reveals that taking cacao extract supplements for two years can reduce levels of the inflammatory biomarker C-reactive protein (CRP) by more than 8% per year.

This slows aging because it helps protect the immune system, reduces cardiovascular system damage, and lowers the risk of heart attack.

It also protects other organs from inflammatory damage, reducing the chance of developing a wide range of chronic, age-related diseases.

So enjoy cacao extract and dark chocolate (1 ounce a day), and explore other options for staying young at heart (and every other organ) in my book, "The Great Age Reboot."