Multivitamins May Slightly Slow Ageing, Study Shows Potential Benefits

Published: 10 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

A recent study suggests that taking a multivitamin daily may slow biological ageing slightly over time. Biological age measures how well the body is functioning compared with chronological age, reflecting accumulated wear and tear on cells and organs. Scientists often estimate biological age using DNA methylation patterns, which influence gene activity and accumulate naturally with age. Researchers theorise that slowing biological ageing could reduce risks of age-related illness, potentially extending healthy years for adults.

The research, carried out by a team in the United States and partially funded by Mars, examined how daily multivitamin use influenced epigenetic markers over two years. While the findings indicate a modest slowdown in biological ageing, the clinical significance of these changes remains uncertain, the authors emphasised. Dr Howard Sesso, a senior epidemiologist at Mass General Brigham, said that their findings do not imply all older adults should begin multivitamin use immediately.

Sesso explained that, although no known risks were identified in their large trials, there is still uncertainty about who benefits and under what circumstances. Previous studies have found mixed results, with some reporting no extension of lifespan and even potential increased risks of early mortality. Nevertheless, prior work by Sesso’s team suggested daily multivitamins may improve cognition and reduce the incidence of lung cancer and cataracts, adding nuance to the debate.

Published in Nature Medicine, the study analysed 958 healthy participants with an average age of 70, dividing them into four groups. Each group received either a combination of cocoa extract and multivitamin, cocoa extract and a multivitamin placebo, multivitamin alone, or two placebos daily. Blood samples were collected at the study’s start and after one and two years, allowing researchers to examine five different DNA methylation measures, often called “epigenetic clocks.”

After controlling for age, sex, and baseline health, participants taking a daily multivitamin demonstrated a slower progression in two of the five epigenetic clocks compared with those taking a placebo. The most notable reductions were in the clocks used to estimate mortality risk, suggesting potential implications for long-term health outcomes. On average, the multivitamin group experienced roughly four months less biological ageing over two years.

Interestingly, the effects were more pronounced for participants who initially exhibited faster biological ageing. Researchers speculate that this may reflect pre-existing nutritional deficiencies, meaning supplementation could have greater benefits for those with less optimal dietary intake. Dr Sesso noted that while nutritional status may explain part of the results, epigenetic clocks likely reflect additional risk factors associated with ageing, beyond simple diet.

The cocoa extract included in the study, however, did not show measurable effects on any of the epigenetic clocks and did not interact with multivitamin use. Researchers emphasised that these modest effects of multivitamins require further investigation to determine whether they translate into tangible health benefits or longer-term reductions in disease risk.

Experts not involved in the study echoed caution regarding interpretation. A commentary by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health highlighted that the observed effects on biological ageing were small and should not be overstated. Dr Marco Di Antonio, an ageing specialist at Imperial College London, explained that the connection between epigenetic clocks and practical ageing outcomes remains unclear.

Dr Di Antonio suggested that while multivitamins may have some effect, lifestyle and diet remain central to influencing biological age. He cautioned that supplementation alone will not counteract unhealthy habits, which can accelerate ageing despite pill consumption. Maintaining a balanced diet and regular physical activity continues to be more strongly linked to slowing biological ageing than supplements alone, he added.

Similarly, Dr Pilar Guallar Castillón of the Autonomous University of Madrid pointed out that the broader clinical trial associated with the study found no significant effect of multivitamins on major causes of mortality or morbidity. She urged caution, noting that commercial interests often drive the widespread promotion of supplements despite limited evidence. Dr Guallar Castillón advised prioritising a nutrient-rich diet abundant in fruits and vegetables rather than relying on multivitamins, which she considers largely unnecessary for healthy adults.

Overall, the study provides an interesting insight into how daily multivitamin use may modestly influence epigenetic markers of ageing. The results support the idea that nutritional supplementation could play a role for individuals with specific deficiencies, particularly older adults. However, experts emphasise that these changes are small and their implications for overall health and lifespan remain unclear.

The research raises important questions about the growing use of dietary supplements among older populations, a trend influenced by both perceived health benefits and commercial promotion. While multivitamins are generally safe, reliance on them as a substitute for balanced nutrition may offer limited advantage, according to scientific consensus. Experts reiterate that maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a varied diet, adequate exercise, and avoiding smoking, remains the most effective strategy for slowing biological ageing.

As interest in longevity and anti-ageing strategies continues to grow, studies like this highlight the complexity of human ageing and the challenges of translating laboratory markers into meaningful clinical outcomes. Epigenetic clocks provide useful metrics for research, but their role in predicting disease risk or longevity is still evolving. Researchers caution against overinterpreting minor changes in these clocks as evidence of substantial health benefits from multivitamin consumption alone.

In conclusion, daily multivitamin use may produce a small slowdown in biological ageing for older adults, particularly for those with pre-existing nutritional deficits. However, the clinical impact is uncertain, and experts emphasise that a healthy lifestyle should remain the cornerstone of age-related disease prevention. Multivitamins cannot replace a balanced diet, and their role should be viewed as potentially supportive rather than transformative. Future research will need to clarify whether these modest effects translate into meaningful benefits in cognitive health, disease risk, or longevity, and to identify which populations might derive the greatest advantage from supplementation.

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