The study is the first randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to examine the effects of lutein on cognitive performance and eye health in healthy pre-teens and teenagers consuming a Western diet.
Dr. Brenda Fonseca, the Kemin’s human nutrition and health senior scientist and principal investigator who led the study, was awarded the prestigious Alan Howard Medal for best oral presentation at the 2025 Brain and Ocular Nutrition (BON) Conference held in Beverly, USA, on Aug. 5, recognizing the study’s scientific rigor and potential impact.
Supported by researchers from National University, USA, the resulting data indicated a 13% improvement in cognitive assessment of focus and self-control, a 14% increase in macular pigment density levels, and 6% reduction in digital eye strain in the FloraGLO Lutein group, compared to placebo.
“These outcomes reflect lutein’s essential role in protecting neural tissues, filtering high-energy blue light, and supporting neural efficiency—functions that are especially critical during adolescence, a second window of neurobiological and visual development,“ Joanne Lasrado, Kemin’s VP for global carotenoids and technical services told NutraIngredients.
Dr. Fonseca added: “By supplementing with a low dose of FloraGLO Lutein, equal to about a one quarter cup of cooked spinach, adolescents can have a simple yet effective nutritional strategy to set them up for success in a modern digital landscape.”
The company is currently working to get the results published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Supporting brain and eye health
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 59 healthy children aged 8-16 who had four hours or more daily screen time. Participants received 5 mg FloraGLO Lutein or placebo gummies daily for six months.
Macular pigment (MP) density was assessed using heterochromatic flicker photometry (HFP). Cognitive performance was measured for executive function, attention, processing speed, and overall cognitive ability using the Flanker Inhibitory Control and the Pattern Comparison Processing Speed tasks (NIH Toolbox) and Verbal Fluency tasks. Digital eye strain was assessed via the Visual Fatigue Scale (VFS).
Assessments were performed on days 0, 90, and 180, with a mixed model repeated measures (MMRM) analysis of changes from baseline.
The average age of the participants was 12.3 years with 59% of the participants in the preteen/youth category (8-12 years) and 41% in the adolescent age range (13-16 years). Participants were evenly split between female (n=30) and male (n=29).
Baseline MP values were similar for both groups. According to the presented stuy abstract, macular pigment density as measure by MP-eye score was significantly improved for the participants taking lutein compared to placebo.
In addition, the treatment group showed a statistically significant reduction in digital eye strain compared to placebo, as well as a significant improvement in the Flanker Ratio of congruent versus incongruent trials.
Overall, healthy preteen and teenage participants receiving a daily lutein gummy exhibited a 14% increase in MP density levels in the eye, a 13% improvement in a cognitive assessment of attention and executive control, and a 6% reduction in digital eye strain compared to those in the placebo group.
Lasrado told NI: “Kemin has built the scientific foundation for lutein, with over 100 clinical publications spanning from infancy to adulthood. The study marks a pivotal expansion into adolescent health—an age group often overlooked in nutrition science—and reflects our commitment to elevating the standard of evidence.”
