Blood levels of copper, manganese, selenium, and zinc are positively associated with cognitive function and academic performance in adolescents

Microminerals are essential for brain function : Study finds

Microminerals such as copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) are essential for brain function and neuronal communication. Many adolescents lack sufficient levels of these minerals due to poor dietary habits. This study by Rahman et al. (2025) assessed the relationship between blood micromineral concentrations, cognitive performance, and academic achievement in a representative group of adolescents. The study included 1,370 adolescents aged 11–14 years from public middle schools in Kuwait, selected via cluster random sampling. Data on various demographic and lifestyle factors were collected through questionnaires completed by the students and their parents. Blood samples were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to measure levels of Cu, Mn, Se, and Zn. Cognitive function was tested using Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM), and academic performance data were gathered from school records. Students and their parents filled out questionnaires that gathered information on a variety of lifestyle and demographic characteristics. Cu, Mn, Se, and Zn levels in blood samples were measured using Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The median micromineral levels (in μg/dL) were Cu – 22.5, Mn – 6.0, Se – 34.2, Zn – 163.5. Adolescents with mineral levels above the median scored, on average, five points higher on the SPM test than those below the median. Those in the lowest quartile (Q1) of micromineral levels had academic scores about seven percentage points lower than those in the highest quartile (Q4). The authors conclude that higher micromineral levels are linked to better cognitive abilities and school performance in adolescents. These findings highlight the need for public health initiatives to improve micromineral nutrition, as academic performance in early life can shape future socio-economic outcomes. [NPID: Microminerals, cognition, academic performance, adolescents, school children]

Year: 2025

Reference: Rahman, A., Rao, M., Aldughpassi, A., Jallad, R., & Shaban, L. (2025). Blood levels of copper, manganese, selenium, and zinc are positively associated with cognitive function and academic performance in adolescents. Frontiers in Nutrition, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1638283

Related Studies

Transgenerational response to nutrition, early life circumstances and longevity

While the slow growth period seen before the prepubertal peak in growth rate has been shown to be a sensitive period where their transgenerational response varies based on food availability, Kaati et al. (2007) examined probands (the first affected family member who seeks medical attention for a genetic disorder) to assess whether their childhood circumstances […]

Executive functioning and dietary intake: Neurocognitive correlates of fruit, vegetable, and saturated fat intake in adults with obesity

This 2017 study examined the link between executive function and intake of saturated fats, fruits, and vegetables in an overweight/obese sample (n = 190) using behavioral measures of executive function and dietary recall. The subjects completed neuropsychological assessments measuring intelligence, planning ability, and inhibitory control followed by three dietary recall assessments within a month prior […]