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How nutrition works

Cognitive function

Which nutrients contribute to normal cognitive function.

Cognitive function includes attention, memory and reasoning. Some nutrients contribute to normal cognitive function according to EU health claims. Here you find them – with evidence level and sources.

Nutrients & foods

  • Evidence: strong

    Iron

    • Iron contributes to normal cognitive function. [1][2][3]

      Authorised EU claim

  • Evidence: insufficientneutral

    Vitamin B6

    • There is insufficient evidence that vitamin B6 supplements alone improve cognitive function in older adults. [4][5]

      Evidence

  • Evidence: strong

    Zinc

    • Zinc contributes to normal cognitive function. [1]

      Authorised EU claim

  • Evidence: moderateneutral

    Folate

    • B-vitamin supplements containing folic acid produce little or no average improvement in global cognitive function in mainly cognitively healthy older adults. [6]

      Evidence

  • Evidence: strong

    Iodine

    • Iodine contributes to normal cognitive function. [1][7]

      Authorised EU claim

  • Evidence: moderateneutral

    Vitamin B12

    • In adults without overt vitamin B12 deficiency or advanced neurological disease, a systematic review found no demonstrated cognitive benefit from B12 supplementation. [8]

      Evidence

Sources

  1. 01European Commission · 2012Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 establishing a list of permitted health claims made on foods, other than those referring to the reduction of disease risk and to children's development and healthOpen source
  2. 02EFSA JournalIron related health claimsOpen source
  3. 032023Effects of iron supplementation on cognitive development in school-age children: Systematic review and meta-analysisOpen source
  4. 04CochraneNo evidence of benefit from vitamin B6 supplementation on mood or cognition of older people with normal vitamin B6 status or with vitamin B6 deficiencyOpen source
  5. 052025Efficacy of B Vitamin Supplementation on Global Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysisPubMed 40966571Open source
  6. 06National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary SupplementsFolate - Health Professional Fact SheetOpen source
  7. 07EFSA Journal · 2014Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for iodineEFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and AllergiesDOI 10.2903/j.efsa.2014.3660
  8. 08Nutrients · 2021Effects of Vitamin B12 Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Depressive Symptoms, and Fatigue: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-RegressionOpen source