Many people take multivitamins daily, hoping to cover any nutritional gaps or to protect against illness, boost memory, or support brain health. While advertisements make bold claims, solid scientific evidence has often been lacking or inconclusive.
A recent study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia brings new attention to this question. Involving over 2,200 adults aged 65 and older, the study tested the effects of cocoa and multivitamins—specifically, Centrum Silver—over three years. Participants were randomly given either cocoa, a multivitamin, both, or a placebo.
Cocoa didn’t lead to cognitive improvements, but those taking the multivitamin showed better results in overall brain function, memory, and executive function. The benefits were particularly notable in participants with cardiovascular disease. Researchers estimated that multivitamin use might slow age-related cognitive decline by up to 60%.
However, the study had limitations: most participants were white, female, and followed for only three years. And previous large-scale studies—like one with older male physicians—found no such brain benefits from multivitamins.
So, should everyone start taking multivitamins for brain health? Not necessarily. The benefits observed might be due to existing nutrient deficiencies in some participants, and we don’t yet know which ingredients were most effective. More research is needed to confirm these findings, determine who benefits most, and explore whether multivitamins can prevent conditions like dementia.
Bottom line:
This new study suggests that multivitamins could help maintain brain health in older adults, but more research is needed before making broad recommendations. While promising, it's too early to say multivitamins are a cure-all for cognitive decline.