Lutein

Studies in people

• Benefit

  Eye disease progression¹

  Lutein and zeaxanthin supplements may slow worsening of age-related macular degeneration, though scientists are still studying how much they help.

• Benefit

  Eye health and vision²

  Lutein from food or supplements is widely recommended for eye health, but the science behind that advice is often overlooked.

• No harm found

  Vision loss in older adults³

  In people at risk of vision loss, lutein plus zeaxanthin did not further lower the chance of the disease getting worse.

• Benefit

  Heart artery health⁴

  In people, lutein with two related carotenoids lowered blood markers of inflammation and oxidized fats tied to artery plaque.

• No harm found

  Lung cancer risk⁵

  In people with AMD, lutein/zeaxanthin showed no big lung cancer risk, unlike beta carotene.

• Benefit

  Children's eye and brain health⁶

  In children given lutein and zeaxanthin gummies for 180 days, eye strain, focus and memory improved compared with placebo.

• Benefit

  Dry eye symptoms⁷

  People taking lutein with zeaxanthin and elderberry for 20 days reported less dry eye discomfort.

• Benefit

  Eye and heart health⁸

  Eating lutein from greens is linked to lower risk of eye and heart problems.

• Benefit

  Memory and thinking in adults⁹

  In adults, lutein with zeaxanthin supplements were linked to better thinking, possibly by helping eyesight.

• Benefit

  Eye-hand coordination¹⁰

  In people who work at screens, lutein with astaxanthin and zeaxanthin improved eye-hand coordination after eight weeks.

• Benefit

  Children's eye health¹²

  In children, lutein ester supplements for six months slowed thinning of a layer inside the eye.

• Concern

  Lung function in smokers¹³

  In smokers, eating more lutein was linked to worse lung function, but no link was seen overall.

• Benefit

  Eye blood flow¹⁴

  In healthy women, lutein with other plant compounds increased blood flow in the eye's retina.

Animal and lab studies only

• Benefit

  Weight gain and belly fat²⁰

  In animal studies, lutein lowered belly fat, cholesterol and blood sugar in mice fed a high-fat diet.

Study type not stated

• Benefit

  Eye health¹⁵

  Lutein is found in the eye and may help delay eye diseases, but scientists do not yet know the best dose.

• Benefit

  Antioxidant roles in plants¹⁶

  In plants and humans, lutein and zeaxanthin have several protective roles, the review says.

• Benefit

  Eye and brain health¹⁷

  Lutein, found in leafy greens and eggs, may help with eye and brain problems, but scientists do not yet know for sure.

• Benefit

  Infant brain and eye development¹⁸

  Lutein may help a baby's eyes and brain grow, but scientists do not yet know for sure.

• Benefit

  Eye health and ageing¹⁹

  Lutein builds up in the eye and may help protect against age-related macular degeneration.

How it’s made and used

• Diet tracking accuracy¹¹

  In adults, a food questionnaire did not accurately measure lutein eaten from foods like spinach.

• How much the body absorbs²¹

  In lab studies, lutein in a liquid meal dropped by about 40% during one stage of digestion.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least one finding in people. When most findings in people point one way, the page leans that way (“Mostly”), and every finding is still shown. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.

Expert panels that weigh all the research. Shown for context: the signal at the top does not count them.

• UN and WHO food additive experts (JECFA), 1977

  No acceptable daily intake set.