Higher magnesium intake was associated with 53% lower odds of sarcopenia, highlighting magnesium’s potential importance for preserving muscle health, strength, and function with age
Key Points
- A new study found that adults with the highest magnesium intake had 53% lower odds of sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass and strength with age) compared with those with the lowest intake, after adjustment for diet quality, protein intake, physical activity, and other factors.
- Each additional 100 mg/day of dietary magnesium was associated with 26% lower odds of sarcopenia, as well as 29% lower odds of low muscle strength and 21% lower odds of low muscle mass.
- A diet rich in magnesium-containing foods, including whole grains, nuts and legumes, green leafy vegetables and seaweeds, soymilk, and coffee, was associated with 50% lower odds of sarcopenia and 48% lower odds of low muscle strength.
- Lower inflammation may be one way magnesium supports muscle health: higher magnesium intake and magnesium-rich diet scores were associated with lower hsCRP, and hsCRP partially mediated the associations with greater muscle mass and strength.
Bern, August 05, 2026 (QNA) – A recent scientific study has revealed a new effect of magnesium on muscle mass and strength, showing that increased magnesium intake is linked to a reduced risk of muscle loss and decreased strength with age.
According to the study published in the Swiss journal Frontiers in Nutrition, a scientific journal specializing in fields such as therapy, metabolism, sustainability, and public health, researchers analyzed data from 3,830 South Koreans over the age of 50, dividing the participants into groups according to the amount of magnesium they obtained from their diet.
The scientists also assessed their consumption of foods rich in this mineral, such as whole grains, nuts, legumes, leafy green vegetables, seaweed, and soy milk, showing results that people who consumed larger amounts of magnesium were 53% less likely to develop sarcopenia, a condition characterized by loss of muscle mass and strength with age, compared to those who obtained smaller amounts of this element.
They also found that a diet rich in magnesium-containing foods was associated with a nearly 50% lower risk of sarcopenia, remaining even after accounting for other factors such as age, level of physical activity, body weight, amount of protein consumed, and total calories, and participants who consumed larger amounts of this mineral had lower levels of C-reactive protein, an important indicator of inflammation in the body.
The results of the study indicated that magnesium is vital for various bodily functions, helps relieve muscle spasms and pain, and certain magnesium supplements can enhance sleep quality. However, experts emphasize the importance of consulting a doctor or nutritionist before taking magnesium supplements and conducting necessary tests to assess the body’s magnesium needs, as excessive intake can lead to undesirable side effects. (QNA)
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