Zeaxanthin
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Zeaxanthin is a dietary supplement with 11 published peer-reviewed studies involving 4,373 participants, researched for Macular Pigment & Eye Health, Blue Light Protection & Photostress Recovery, Age-Related Macular Degeneration and 2 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Macular Pigment & Eye Health
ModerateBlue Light Protection & Photostress Recovery
ModerateAge-Related Macular Degeneration
ModerateCognitive & Systemic Effects
ModerateVisual & Cognitive Function
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.
Macular Pigment & Eye Health
To evaluate the effect of zeaxanthin supplementation on macular pigment optical density (MPOD).
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate the effect of zeaxanthin supplementation on macular pigment optical density (MPOD).
Dose
10 mg zeaxanthin daily
Participants
60 healthy adults aged 18-45
Duration
24 weeks
Results
Zeaxanthin supplementation significantly increased MPOD (+0.10 log units) compared to placebo, with improved contrast sensitivity.
How They Measured It
Heterochromatic flicker photometry (HFP) for MPOD
To assess whether zeaxanthin and lutein can restore vision lost from age-related macular degeneration.
Study Type
RCT (LAST study)
Purpose
To assess whether zeaxanthin and lutein can restore vision lost from age-related macular degeneration.
Dose
8 mg zeaxanthin + 12 mg lutein daily
Participants
90 patients with atrophic AMD
Duration
12 months
Results
Significant improvement in contrast sensitivity and MPOD in supplement group; 60% of participants gained vision lines.
How They Measured It
Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, MPOD
To compare zeaxanthin alone vs combination carotenoid supplementation for MPOD enhancement.
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To compare zeaxanthin alone vs combination carotenoid supplementation for MPOD enhancement.
Dose
12 mg zeaxanthin or 10 mg zeaxanthin + 10 mg lutein
Participants
74 adults with drusen
Duration
6 months
Results
Both regimens increased MPOD; zeaxanthin monotherapy group showed preferential foveal MPOD augmentation.
How They Measured It
MPOD by fundus autofluorescence
Blue Light Protection & Photostress Recovery
To evaluate zeaxanthin supplementation on photostress recovery time and glare disability.
Study Type
Double-blind RCT
Purpose
To evaluate zeaxanthin supplementation on photostress recovery time and glare disability.
Dose
10 mg zeaxanthin daily
Participants
50 healthy adults
Duration
16 weeks
Results
Zeaxanthin significantly reduced photostress recovery time by 30% and improved disability glare threshold.
How They Measured It
Photostress recovery time (PSRT), disability glare index
To investigate zeaxanthin's ability to filter blue light and quench reactive oxygen species in retinal tissue.
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To investigate zeaxanthin's ability to filter blue light and quench reactive oxygen species in retinal tissue.
Dose
0.1-10 µM
Participants
ARPE-19 cell line
Duration
Acute
Results
Zeaxanthin effectively absorbed blue light (peak at 450 nm) and protected RPE cells from blue light-induced ROS by 65%.
How They Measured It
Spectrophotometric blue light absorption, ROS detection in RPE cells
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
To assess the association between dietary zeaxanthin intake and AMD incidence.
Study Type
Prospective cohort
Purpose
To assess the association between dietary zeaxanthin intake and AMD incidence.
Dose
Dietary intake (observational)
Participants
4000 adults in Eye Disease Study cohort
Duration
10-year follow-up
Results
Highest quintile zeaxanthin intake associated with 35% reduced risk of advanced AMD vs lowest quintile.
How They Measured It
Fundus photography and fluorescein angiography; FFQ for dietary assessment
To pool evidence on zeaxanthin and lutein supplementation for AMD prevention and treatment.
Study Type
Meta-analysis
Purpose
To pool evidence on zeaxanthin and lutein supplementation for AMD prevention and treatment.
Dose
Various supplement doses reviewed
Participants
Multiple studies pooled
Duration
Review
Results
Pooled analysis confirmed significant protective association; supplementation reduced risk of advanced AMD and was associated with MPOD improvement.
How They Measured It
Meta-analysis of RCTs and prospective cohorts
Cognitive & Systemic Effects
To investigate the effect of zeaxanthin supplementation on cognitive function in older adults.
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
To investigate the effect of zeaxanthin supplementation on cognitive function in older adults.
Dose
10 mg zeaxanthin + 10 mg lutein daily
Participants
60 adults aged 60-85
Duration
12 months
Results
Significant improvements in processing speed and composite memory score; brain carotenoid levels correlated with MPOD.
How They Measured It
Cognitive battery including processing speed, executive function, memory
To review the totality of evidence for zeaxanthin on eye, brain, and systemic health outcomes.
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To review the totality of evidence for zeaxanthin on eye, brain, and systemic health outcomes.
Dose
2-20 mg/day across studies
Participants
Multiple studies
Duration
Review
Results
Zeaxanthin consistently increases MPOD and improves visual function; emerging evidence supports cognitive and systemic antioxidant benefits.
How They Measured It
Systematic literature review and narrative synthesis
To characterise zeaxanthin absorption, distribution, and retinal accumulation.
Study Type
Pharmacokinetic study
Purpose
To characterise zeaxanthin absorption, distribution, and retinal accumulation.
Dose
10 mg zeaxanthin daily
Participants
20 healthy adults
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Zeaxanthin showed dose-proportional increase in serum and selective retinal accumulation, particularly in the foveal zone.
How They Measured It
Serum and tissue zeaxanthin by HPLC, MPOD assessment
Visual & Cognitive Function
To test whether lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation improves visual and cognitive function in preadolescent children.
Study Type
Double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial
Purpose
To test whether lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation improves visual and cognitive function in preadolescent children.
Dose
10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin gummies daily for 180 days
Participants
60 children aged 5-12 years (2:1 randomization, 40 active: 20 placebo)
Duration
180 days
Results
LZ supplementation significantly increased MPOD as early as day 42. Significant increases in serum lutein, BDNF, and processing speed (CFF). Improved cognitive performance (focus, episodic memory, visuospatial working memory) at days 90 and 180. Reduced eye strain and fatigue. No safety concerns observed.
How They Measured It
Macular pigment optical density (MPOD), serum L & Z, BDNF, CFF, VAS for eye strain, CSHQ-A, Creyos cognitive domains
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Zeaxanthin research
There are currently 11 peer-reviewed studies on Zeaxanthin (Zeaxanthin), involving 4,373 total participants. Research covers Eye health, Macular protection, Blue light defence and 1 more areas. 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 (8 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Zeaxanthin has been researched for: Eye health, Macular protection, Blue light defence, Cognitive function. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 8 out of 11 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
