A recent randomized clinical trial focused on older adults has revealed that taking multivitamins for two years can moderately slow the progression of epigenetic markers of aging. This effect is comparable to experiencing approximately four months less of biological aging in comparison to a placebo group.
Li et al. evaluated the two-year effect of daily multivitamin-multimineral supplements and cocoa extract (500 mg cocoa flavanols per day, including 80 mg epicatechin) on five DNA methylation measures of biological aging among 958 participants (482 women and 476 men) in the COSMOS study. Image credit: Ri Butov.
Epigenetic clocks provide estimates of biological aging by examining minor alterations in our DNA.
These clocks focus on specific locations within our DNA that govern gene expression, which naturally evolve as we age, serving as indicators of mortality and the aging process.
“There is increasing interest in finding ways not just to extend life, but to enhance its quality,” noted Dr. Howard Sesso, a researcher associated with Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
“It was thrilling to observe that multivitamin use is connected with changes in biological aging markers.
“This research lays the groundwork for exploring safe and accessible interventions that can promote healthier aging.”
The research team, led by Dr. Sesso, utilized data collected from the well-regarded COcoa Supplement Multivitamins Outcomes Study (COSMOS).
They scrutinized DNA methylation data from blood samples of 958 randomly selected healthy participants, whose average age was 70.
Participants were divided into groups that received daily cocoa extract and multivitamin, daily cocoa extract with placebo, multivitamin with placebo, or only placebos.
Samples were examined for variations in five epigenetic clocks at the beginning of the trial, as well as at the conclusion of the first and second years.
Compared to those who received placebo, individuals taking multivitamins demonstrated a slowdown in all five epigenetic clocks, with noteworthy reductions observed in two clocks linked to mortality predictions.
This shift effectively translated to about four months of reduced biological aging over the two-year period.
Notably, individuals who started the trial biologically older than their chronological age experienced the most significant benefits.
“We intend to conduct follow-up studies to ascertain whether the observed deceleration of biological aging—reflected through these five epigenetic clocks, as well as potentially others—continues after the trial concludes,” stated Dr. Yanbin Dong, a researcher at Augusta University.
“Many individuals take a multivitamin without fully grasping the potential benefits. Therefore, expanding our understanding of its health advantages is crucial,” Dr. Sesso added.
“Within COSMOS, we are fortunate to have access to a rich dataset that enables us to investigate how two interventions may enhance biological aging and lower age-related health issues.”
A study detailing these findings has been published in the journal Nature Medicine.
_____
S. Li et al. Effects of daily multivitamin-multimineral and cocoa extract supplementation on epigenetic aging clocks in the COSMOS randomized clinical trial. Nat Med, published online March 9, 2026; doi: 10.1038/s41591-026-04239-3
