Spermidine
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Spermidine is a dietary supplement with 9 published peer-reviewed studies involving 380 participants, researched for Cognitive Function, Anti-Aging, Autophagy Induction.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Cognitive Function
StrongAnti-Aging
ModerateAutophagy Induction
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Cognitive Function
To assess spermidine on memory and cognition in older adults with subjective cognitive decline
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial (SmartAge trial)
Purpose
To assess spermidine on memory and cognition in older adults with subjective cognitive decline
Dose
0.9 mg/day spermidine-rich plant extract
Participants
100 older adults (60-90 years) with SCD
Duration
12 months
Results
Spermidine supplementation showed non-significant trend for memory improvement vs placebo. Secondary analyses showed significant benefits in episodic memory. PMID: 35616942
How They Measured It
mnemonic discrimination task, comprehensive cognitive battery, biomarkers
To assess spermidine on memory in older adults at risk for dementia
Study Type
Randomised pilot trial
Purpose
To assess spermidine on memory in older adults at risk for dementia
Dose
Spermidine supplement
Participants
30 older adults at risk for dementia
Duration
3 months
Results
Spermidine supplementation significantly improved memory performance in the at-risk group. First RCT showing memory benefits from spermidine in humans. PMID: 30388439
How They Measured It
Memory performance tests, CSF biomarkers
To assess spermidine in older adults suffering from dementia
Study Type
Pilot clinical study
Purpose
To assess spermidine in older adults suffering from dementia
Dose
1.2 mg/day spermidine
Participants
30 dementia patients
Duration
3 months
Results
Spermidine supplementation showed positive effects on memory and cognition in dementia patients. Nutritional intervention confirmed ability to prevent memory loss. PMID: 33211152
How They Measured It
Cognitive tests, quality of life, safety assessment
Anti-Aging
To investigate spermidine on lifespan extension in model organisms
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate spermidine on lifespan extension in model organisms
Dose
Spermidine in food/water
Participants
C. elegans, Drosophila, and mice
Duration
Lifetime studies
Results
Spermidine supplementation significantly extended lifespan in yeast, C. elegans, Drosophila, and mice by 15-25%. Autophagy induction identified as the key mechanism. PMID: 19812417
How They Measured It
Lifespan, aging phenotypes, autophagy markers
To assess dietary spermidine intake and cardiovascular mortality in humans
Study Type
Observational cohort study
Purpose
To assess dietary spermidine intake and cardiovascular mortality in humans
Dose
Dietary: low vs medium vs high intake (12 mg/day)
Participants
829 Austrian adults
Duration
20 years follow-up
Results
Higher dietary spermidine intake was significantly associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality (HR 0.60) and all-cause mortality. Dose-response relationship confirmed. PMID: 29874093
How They Measured It
Dietary spermidine assessment, 20-year cardiovascular outcomes
To investigate spermidine on aging and cardiac function in aged mice
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate spermidine on aging and cardiac function in aged mice
Dose
3 mM in drinking water
Participants
Aged C57BL/6J mice (24 months)
Duration
6 months
Results
Spermidine administration to aged mice significantly reduced cardiac fibrosis, improved cardiac function, and enhanced mitochondrial quality via autophagy. PMID: 27079509
How They Measured It
Cardiac structure, function, fibrosis, mitochondrial quality
Autophagy Induction
To investigate spermidine autophagy induction and epigenetic mechanisms
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To investigate spermidine autophagy induction and epigenetic mechanisms
Dose
Various concentrations
Participants
Multiple cell types including yeast and human cells
Duration
N/A
Results
Spermidine induced autophagy by inhibiting acetyltransferases, reducing histone H3 acetylation and activating autophagy genes. First demonstration of epigenetic autophagy regulation by a metabolite. PMID: 19812417
How They Measured It
Autophagy flux, histone acetylation, Atg gene expression
To assess spermidine on age-related memory decline via hippocampal autophagy
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To assess spermidine on age-related memory decline via hippocampal autophagy
Dose
3 mM in drinking water
Participants
Aged mice
Duration
3 months
Results
Spermidine restored hippocampal autophagy flux in aged mice, preserved synaptic plasticity, and significantly improved spatial memory performance. PMID: 31039826
How They Measured It
Hippocampal autophagy markers, memory tests, synaptic function
To review spermidine as a health-promoting agent and caloric restriction mimetic
Study Type
Review
Purpose
To review spermidine as a health-promoting agent and caloric restriction mimetic
Dose
Various
Participants
N/A
Duration
N/A
Results
Spermidine mimics caloric restriction effects through autophagy induction, reduces all-cause mortality, extends lifespan in model organisms, and shows promise for age-related cognitive decline prevention.
How They Measured It
Comprehensive review of mechanisms and clinical evidence
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Spermidine research
There are currently 9 peer-reviewed studies on Spermidine (Spermidine), involving 380 total participants. Research covers Cognitive function, Anti-aging, Autophagy induction. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (5 human studies, 3 animal studies), and reported outcomes.
Spermidine has been researched for: Cognitive function, Anti-aging, Autophagy induction. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 5 out of 9 studies are human trials. The remaining 3 are animal studies. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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