Vitamin B9

Does folic acid help memory?

Updated 9 Nov 2026

Short answer

Probably not for most people. Most trials found no effect on memory or dementia, even when folic acid lowered homocysteine.[1] In a Dutch trial of 818 people aged 50 to 70 with high homocysteine, 800 µg a day for 3 years: memory changed for the better compared with placebo.[2] A 2022 review found that B vitamins changed a memory and thinking test score by only 0.14 points.[3]

Sources (3)

  1. Folate: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. ods.od.nih.gov
  2. Effect of 3-year folic acid supplementation on cognitive function in older adults in the FACIT trial: a randomised, double blind, controlled trial. Durga J, van Boxtel MP, Schouten EG, Kok FJ, Jolles J, Katan MB, et al. Lancet, 2007. PMID 17240287
  3. B vitamins and prevention of cognitive decline and incident dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Wang Z, Zhu W, Xing Y, Jia J, Tang Y Nutr Rev, 2022. PMID 34432056

More about vitamin b9

What is vitamin B9?Which foods contain folate?What is vitamin B9 used for?Who is likely to be low in folate?Is vitamin B9 safe?How long does folic acid take to raise folate levels?

For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.