A secondary analysis reveals surprising benefits of daily multivitamin use, challenging conventional narratives on supplementation.
Key Points
- Daily multivitamins show benefits in older adults with poor dietary quality.
- Findings challenge the one-size-fits-all approach to supplements.
- Potential cost-saving implications for healthcare through targeted use.
- Encourages personalized dietary interventions for hypertension prevention.
Multivitamins and Blood Pressure: New Insights
The recent secondary analysis of the COSMOS trial data unveils that daily multivitamin use does not significantly affect overall hypertension risk or blood pressure in older adults. However, it does provide notable benefits for those with lower dietary quality and normal baseline blood pressure. This subgroup experienced reduced hypertension incidence and modest blood pressure reductions over two to three years.
Conducted by Mass General Brigham’s Division of Preventive Medicine, this research emphasizes the role of nutrition and the potential of multivitamins as a preventive tool for those with dietary gaps. Lead author Rikuta Hamaya and senior author Howard Sesso highlight the non-universal effects of multivitamins, suggesting that while not a cure-all, they could be beneficial for specific populations.
Watch:
Meet My Healthy Doc – instant answers, anytime, anywhere.
Historical Context and Current Developments
Originating from the COSMOS study, a large-scale trial primarily assessing cocoa extract and multivitamins on cognition and cardiovascular outcomes, the analysis builds on previous findings. The primary results showed neutral cognitive benefits, prompting further secondary analyses focusing on cardiovascular effects. The study was conducted among U.S. older adults, predominantly white, with an average age of 69 at baseline.
The recent publication in the American Journal of Hypertension and press releases have amplified these findings, inviting further research to replicate the study in diverse trials. While the findings remain exploratory, they have sparked discussions on personalized supplementation strategies.
Start your health journey in under a minute.
Implications for Health and Industry
The potential implications of these findings are significant. In the short term, they may encourage targeted multivitamin use among older adults with poor dietary quality, prompting discussions with healthcare providers. Long-term, if replicated, these findings could shift guidelines towards personalized supplementation, potentially reducing the burden of hypertension.
Daily multivitamins quietly lower blood pressure in some older adults https://t.co/3eoyEg6SeU
— Alan Stone (@alanbstone) December 15, 2025
Economically, the low cost of multivitamins could lead to significant savings in healthcare by preventing hypertension-related complications. Socially, it empowers individuals with dietary gaps to take proactive steps for their health. The nutraceutical industry may see a renewed interest, albeit tempered by a focus on evidence-based use rather than blanket marketing strategies.
Smart health starts here, try My Healthy Doc today.
Sources:
Mass General Brigham Press Release
ScienceDaily Article
US Pharmacist Article
Medical News Today Article
American Journal of Hypertension Abstract
