After 3 years, adults who received a daily multivitamin had significantly better functional health scores than participants who took a placebo.
The researchers say the results suggest that multivitamins may help older adults maintain the ability to function day-to-day, possibly through benefits associated with cognitive health, circulation and physical stamina.
Maintaining the ability to handle everyday tasks without severe or limiting symptoms is an important part of quality of life as we age. New research suggests that taking a daily multivitamin may help support that independence
“What makes this work unique is our focus on functional health, on how people actually feel and function in their daily lives – not just on the prevention of major diseases,” said Bayu B. Bekele, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at the Georgia Prevention Institute at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University.
“For older adults, these findings suggest that a daily multivitamin may be a helpful, low-risk addition to a healthy lifestyle that supports physical well-being as we age, although it is not a substitute for good diet or exercise.”
A large study of adults over 60
Bekele presented the results at Nutrition 2026, the major annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition. They conducted the research with Yanbin Dong, MD, PhD, Regents Professor of Medicine and director of the Georgia Prevention Institute of the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University.
The analysis included data from more than 16,000 adults ages 60 and older who participated in the COCOA Supplement Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS).
As part of COSMOS, participants were randomly assigned to receive a daily multivitamin, a cocoa extract supplement, both supplements, or neither. The control group and participants who received only one of the two supplements were given a placebo.
Multivitamins linked to better daily function
After 3 years of supplementation, participants assigned to the multivitamin group reported significantly better functional health than participants taking a placebo. The findings were based on responses to the Kansas City (State of Missouri) Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire.
The strongest differences appeared in symptom burden and clinical summary scores. That summary score combines measures of symptom burden and physical capacity.
These results may have practical importance because functional health reflects whether people can continue to perform regular activities without being affected by fatigue or other symptoms.
Bekele said, “Multivitamin use supports cardiovascular health and overall physical function, which may help maintain the ability to perform everyday activities such as dressing, bathing, walking, climbing stairs, jogging or walking, and completing household chores.
These benefits may be particularly relevant to individuals experiencing fatigue, shortness of breath, or swollen legs, which may limit daily functioning.”
cocoa extract results
Cocoa extract did not significantly improve functional health scores in the entire study population. However, it was associated with a significant benefit among participants with congestive heart failure.
Although the findings for multivitamins are encouraging, researchers emphasise that supplements should not be seen as a replacement for a balanced diet or regular physical activity. People should also talk to a doctor before starting any new supplements.
Preliminary findings require further review
Bekele presented the research during a vitamin and mineral oral session on Monday, July 27, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center (abstract).
The study was supported by grant HL157665 from the National Institutes of Health.
A committee of experts reviewed and selected the abstracts presented at Nutrition 2026. However, they have not typically completed the peer review process required before research is published in a scientific journal.
The results should therefore be considered preliminary until they appear in a peer-reviewed publication.
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