In the COSMOS-Mind study¹, a large randomized clinical trial, researchers provided more than 2,000 older adults (≥ 65 years) in the general population with either a standard multivitamin/mineral supplement (MVM), cocoa extract, or a placebo daily over a three-year period. At baseline and annually throughout the trial, participants completed cognitive testing that evaluated multiple domains of brain function. The results of these tests were combined to create summary scores for participants’ overall cognition, memory, and executive function (which included aspects such as attention, processing speed, and cognitive flexibility).

After three years, while the cocoa extract showed no benefit to brain function compared with placebo, participants taking a daily MVM supplement had significantly better scores (indicating less decline) for overall cognition, memory, and executive function. Strikingly, on closer examinations of the results, researchers estimated three years of MVM supplementation slowed brain aging by almost two years. In other words, the MVM group’s brain function corresponded to being about two years younger than that of the placebo group.

Such findings reinforce that adequate intake of essential vitamins and minerals plays a fundamental role in maintaining brain health with age. At the same time, consistently meeting these nutritional needs through diet alone has become increasingly challenging. Multivitamins offer a practical, accessible way to fill in the gaps and support one of our most important assets—our mind!

Eating More Apples, Berries, and Citrus Linked to Long-Term Happiness

Giving your mood a boost may just start with your ABCs—apples, berries, and citrus, that is! A 2026 study² found a significant link between higher intake of these fruits and greater long-term psychological wellbeing, including sustained happiness and optimism.

Apples, berries, and citrus are packed with flavonoids, nutrients that give them their vibrant colors and powerful antioxidant properties. In the study, researchers analyzed data from more than 40,000 women to assess how intake of seven flavonoid-rich foods (strawberries, blueberries, apples, oranges, grapefruit, tea, and red wine) related to their self-reported wellbeing. Women with the highest intake—about three servings per day—were three percent more likely to report sustained happiness and six percent more likely to report being optimistic over a period of up to ten years compared to women who had the lowest intake of these foods. These findings were primarily driven by eating apples, berries, and citrus, and held up even after accounting for other demographic and lifestyle factors.

Interestingly, the relationship appeared to go both ways: happier, more optimistic women were also significantly more likely to eat more flavonoid-rich foods. In other words, a good mood and a colorful diet appear to reinforce each other in a positive feedback loop. Flavonoids may promote this feel-good cycle by modulating inflammation in the brain, supporting healthy neurotransmitter activity, and promoting healthy gut bacteria—all of which can affect mood. Put simply, the more vibrant colors you put on your plate, the more you may be contributing to a brighter perspective.

Reference

1. Baker, L., Manson, J., et al. (2023). Effects of cocoa extract and a multivitamin on cognitive function: A randomized clinical trial. Alzheimers Dement. 19(4):1308-1319. doi: 10.1002/alz.12767.
2. Thompson, A.S., Bondonno, N.P., Liu, Y.L., et al. (2026). Dietary flavonoid intake and psychological well-being—A bidirectional relationship. Clinical Nutrition, 58: 106579. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2026.106579