New research published in Alzheimer′s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer′s Association shows that taking a daily supplement can improve cognition in older adults. According to the Alzheimer′s Association, more than 6.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer′s disease, and 1 in 3 seniors die with the disease or another form of dementia. Dr. Laura D. Baker, Ph.D., professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and co-principal investigator of the trial, along with Mark Espeland, Ph.D., professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, stated that there is an urgent need for safe and affordable interventions to protect cognition against a decline in older adults.

The COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study for the Mind (COSMOS-Mind), funded by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health, enrolled 21,442 men and women across the U.S. The study was conducted to investigate whether taking a daily cocoa extract supplement or a daily multivitamin-mineral supplement reduced the risk of developing heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other health outcomes. Dr. Baker noted that cocoa extract is rich in compounds called flavanols, and past research has suggested that these compounds may positively impact cognition.

In the study, researchers estimated that three years of multivitamin supplementation roughly translated to a 60% slowing of cognitive decline (about 1.8 years). They also observed that benefits were relatively more pronounced in participants with significant cardiovascular disease, which is important because these individuals are already at increased risk for cognitive impairment and decline. 

(Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/cognition-in-older-adults-can-be-improved-by-daily-supplements-study-101663327276427.html )