The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) has commented on the results of the Cocoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS), which were published on March 16, 2022, in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, in two separate papers:

• Multivitamins in the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease: The COSMOS randomized clinical trial

• Effect of cocoa flavanol supplementation for prevention of cardiovascular disease events: The COSMOS randomized clinical trial

CRN President & CEO Steve Mister, stated, “As the leading association for the dietary supplement and functional foods industry, CRN applauds this new supplement research that paves the way to improved understanding of the role nutrition plays for human health. The Cocoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study is exactly that kind of research. As an association, we’re proud that two of our member companies, Mars and GSK, were cornerstones in the public-private partnership that supported this research.

“The cocoa flavanol supplementation’s findings noted beneficial trends in regard to cardiovascular events. As an industry dedicated to supporting consumers’ health and wellness, we were excited to learn these findings indicate bioactives such as cocoa flavanols show promise for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease,” Mister added.

“The promise cocoa flavanol shows for reducing cardiovascular disease warrants more study and follow-up time. Groundbreaking research like COSMOS and future research on bioactives like flavanols are the types of science that will propel innovation for the supplement industry and push forward the possibilities in supporting consumers’ health.

“As always, CRN encourages consumers to speak with their health care providers about the measures available for reducing their risk of cardiovascular disease, including a well-balanced diet, regular exercise, and getting sufficient sleep,” he said.

For more information, visit www.crnusa.org.