The COSMOS-Mind Study: Multivitamins Beat Cocoa for Brain Health
A landmark study shows that daily multivitamins improved cognitive performance in older adults, while cocoa flavanols did not. Learn what this means for brain health and nutrient support.
A new study called COSMOS-Mind looked at whether daily cocoa flavanols or multivitamins could help protect memory and focus in older adults. More than 2,000 people took either a cocoa extract, a multivitamin, both, or a placebo for three years.
The results were simple. The multivitamin improved cognitive performance, while cocoa did not.
Cocoa wasn't added to boost vitamin absorption. Researchers tested it separately because cocoa flavanols are known to support blood flow and vascular health. They wanted to see if better circulation would lead to better brain function. It didn't, at least not in this study.
What this shows is that the basics still matter. Before looking to exotic plant extracts, it's worth making sure the body has the essential nutrients it needs every day. Consistent micronutrient support continues to be one of the most reliable ways to protect brain health over time.
At Phi Health Sciences, we start with that foundation. Our work focuses on delivering essential nutrients in clean, precise, and bioavailable forms that the body can actually use. Then we build from there, adding compounds with real evidence behind them.
Bottom line: Cocoa flavanols may help circulation, but the daily multivitamin was the one that actually improved cognition. Sometimes the simplest approach is still the smartest.
Discover Stack, our science-backed multivitamin system designed for optimal nutrient delivery and absorption.