Taking a daily multivitamin for two years may slow certain markers linked to biological ageing, according to a new study conducted by researchers in the United States. However, scientists say the effects appear modest and the broader health benefits remain uncertain.
Unlike chronological age, which simply measures how long a person has lived, biological age reflects the condition of the body and its systems. Researchers often estimate this by examining patterns of DNA methylation—chemical modifications to DNA that accumulate over time and influence how genes function.
Scientists believe that slowing biological ageing could help reduce the risk of age-related diseases, potentially allowing people to remain healthier for longer. The new study explored whether daily multivitamin use might influence these ageing markers.
The research, partly funded by confectionery company Mars, involved 958 healthy adults with an average age of about 70. Participants were divided into four groups and assigned different combinations of daily cocoa extract, multivitamins, or placebos. Blood samples were taken at the beginning of the study and again after one and two years.
Researchers then analysed the samples using five different “epigenetic clocks,” which measure biological ageing based on DNA methylation patterns. After adjusting for factors such as age and sex, the results showed that participants who took a daily multivitamin experienced slower biological ageing in two of the five measures compared with those taking a placebo.
Overall, the difference equated to roughly four months less biological ageing over a two-year period. The researchers also noted that individuals who showed faster biological ageing at the start of the study appeared to benefit slightly more, possibly because they had greater nutritional deficiencies.
Dr. Howard Sesso, an epidemiologist at Mass General Brigham and senior author of the study, said the findings do not necessarily mean older adults should begin taking multivitamins routinely. “There are no known risks from taking a multivitamin in our trials, but we still do not know exactly who may benefit and how,” he explained.
Experts not involved in the research emphasised that the results were small and that the link between these biological ageing markers and real-world health outcomes remains unclear. Some scientists also stressed that supplements cannot replace a healthy diet and lifestyle.
The authors concluded that further research is needed to determine whether the observed changes in biological ageing markers translate into meaningful health benefits, such as reduced disease risk or longer healthy lifespans.
