Does iron help kids think better?
Effect of iron supplements on cognitive development in children: an umbrella review
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
No biological mechanisms were identified in this study. This may be an epidemiological, observational, or survey-based study that reports associations rather than proposing causal biological pathways.
Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
Max 100Randomized Controlled Trials
Max 90Cohort Studies
Max 72Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional Studies
Max 44Case Reports & Case Series
Max 30Expert Opinion & Narrative Reviews
Max 539 / 100
Evidence Score
The highest quality evidence. These studies systematically search, appraise, and synthesize results from multiple individual studies, providing the most reliable summary of current knowledge.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
No biological mechanisms were identified in this study. This may be an epidemiological, observational, or survey-based study that reports associations rather than proposing causal biological pathways.
Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
Max 100Randomized Controlled Trials
Max 90Cohort Studies
Max 72Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional Studies
Max 44Case Reports & Case Series
Max 30Expert Opinion & Narrative Reviews
Max 539 / 100
Evidence Score
The highest quality evidence. These studies systematically search, appraise, and synthesize results from multiple individual studies, providing the most reliable summary of current knowledge.
Publication
Journal
Frontiers in Nutrition
Year
2026
Authors
L. Caballero-Apaza, H. Arbildo-Vega, Vilma Mamani-Cori, T. Padilla-Cáceres, F. Cruzado-Oliva, C. A. Farje-Gallardo, Rubén Aguirre-Ipenza, H. Vásquez-Rodrigo, Sara-Antonieta Luján-Valencia, Joan-Manuel Meza-Málaga, T. Castillo-Cornock, F. Coronel-Zubiate
Related Content
Claims (6)
If your body doesn't get enough iron or B12 over a long time, you might feel foggy-headed and less motivated to get things done.
Giving iron supplements to young kids who don’t have enough iron in their blood might help them do a little better on tests that measure how smart they are, especially in places where many kids are iron-deficient.
Giving iron pills to kids who aren’t anemic doesn’t seem to make them smarter, better at remembering things, or more focused — their brain skills stay about the same.
Giving iron supplements to kids who don’t have enough iron in their blood might help them remember things a little better, especially stuff like learning new names or where they put their toys.
Giving iron supplements to kids who don’t have enough iron in their blood might help them pay attention better and focus more, especially if they’re between 2 and 12 years old.