@article{Dong2026, 
author = {Sitong Dong and Qingqing Liu and Shuyang Yu and Yuwei Wang and Yunkai Yang and Ruoqi Zhou and Yuequn Niu and Kelie Chen and Yu Shi and Dajing Xia and Yihua Wu},
title = {Association between micronutrient supplementation and age-related diseases: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial studies},
year = {2026},
journal = {Food Science and Human Wellness},
volume = {15},
number = {6},
pages = {9250641},
keywords = {Micronutrient supplementation, Age-related disease, Ophthalmic aging, Neuronal aging, Cognitive impairment, Age-related cataracts},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/FSHW.2025.9250641},
doi = {10.26599/FSHW.2025.9250641},
abstract = {BackgroundMicronutrients in multiple foods have been considered beneficial for human health. However, the role of micronutrient supplementation in postponing aging remains controversial.ObjectiveTo quantify a comprehensive evidence-based impact of micronutrient supplementation on age-related diseases.MethodsSystematic literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from inception to 23rd January 2024 for randomized controlled trial studies indicating the association of micronutrient supplementation comprising vitamins A, E, D, flavanol, and multivitamin-mineral (MVM) with age-related diseases (including neuronal aging and ophthalmic aging). Fifteen randomized controlled trial studies with 129072 participants (adults aged ≥ 18) were finally included in this meta-analysis.ResultsFlavanol showed evidence for postponing neuronal aging. Specifically, participants with flavanol supplementation had a better performance in Trail Making Test A (weighted mean difference (WMD): –4.18; 95% confidence interval (CI): –8.02 to –0.33; Z-score = –2.130; P = 0.033) and Trail Making Test B (WMD: –7.91; 95% CI: –10.83 to –4.98; Z-score = –5.297; P < 0.001). In the Verbal Fluency test, the flavanol supplementation group also indicated an improvement (WMD: 2.54; 95% CI: 0.47 to 4.60; Z-score = 2.41; P = 0.016). MVM supplementation group showed no significant improvement in the Swinburne University Computerized Cognitive Assessment Battery (SUCCAB) performance and vitamin D showed no effect on cognitive impairment (relative risk: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.86 to 1.08; P = 0.526). In addition, there was no significant association between vitamin A/vitamin E intake and age-related cataracts.ConclusionsFlavanol supplementation suggested a potential association with postponing neuronal aging while vitamin D showed no corresponding effect. The unconfirmed neuroprotective effect of MVM supplementation indicated that combined nutrient formulations may not outperform single-nutrient targeting in mitigating neuronal aging processes. No significant associations were observed for vitamin A or E with ophthalmic aging.}
}