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What is known today about NMN and NR?

NMN and NR are meant to raise NAD+ levels in the body. They probably raise the blood level. Clinical benefit is still open in humans.

October 2026

What are the key points in brief?

What are NMN and NR?

NMN stands for nicotinamide mononucleotide and NR for nicotinamide riboside. Both are regarded as precursors of NAD+1. From both, the body can obtain nicotinamide, a form of niacin (vitamin B3)6,7.

What do studies on NMN show?

A meta-analysis of eight randomized trials with 342 middle-aged and older adults found no significant benefit for fasting blood sugar, insulin, long-term blood sugar (HbA1c) and blood lipids4. Most participants did not have diabetes4.

A second meta-analysis with twelve studies and 513 participants found higher NAD levels in blood. Most clinically relevant measures did not differ from the control group. The authors see concerns in seven studies and a high risk of bias in five. They consider an exaggeration of benefit in the field possible3.

A study of 108 older people examined sleep, fatigue and physical performance over twelve weeks. Participants were divided into four groups. In one group taking NMN, sleepiness decreased compared with baseline. The matching placebo group improved in the same way8. A single small study would hardly establish a proven benefit.

What do studies on NR show?

A critical review summarizes 25 human studies on NR. Oral NR showed few clinically relevant effects. The authors see a tendency in the literature to exaggerate the importance and reliability of results5.

In an eight-week randomized trial, NR raised whole-blood NAD+. Adverse events occurred no more often than with placebo2.

NR chloride has been authorized in the EU as a novel food since 20209. For NMN, a positive EFSA safety assessment has existed since 2026. A safety assessment alone is not an authorization. Whether NMN is authorized is shown by the Union list of novel foods kept by the European Commission7,10. Details are on the page Are NAD+ supplements allowed in the EU?.

What does this mean for you?

A rise in the blood shows that a precursor was absorbed. It does not show a health benefit1. If fatigue persists, a medical check of the common causes can be a first step11. The five-step preparation helps with that.

EFSA has restricted its safety assessments of NR and NMN for pregnant and breastfeeding women6,7. What is known about side effects, interactions and cancer risk is on the page Does NAD+ have side effects?.

Which sources does this page rely on?

  1. Gallagher C, Emmanuel OO (2026). NAD⁺ supplementation for anti-aging and wellness: A PRISMA-guided systematic review of preclinical and clinical evidence. Ageing Research Reviews. DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2026.103057

    The review asks what studies on NAD+ products show for ageing and well-being. It systematically assesses 113 studies, 33 of them in humans. NR and NMN may raise NAD levels and appear well tolerated, while a clinical benefit remains open, and suitable trials of NAD+ infusions were lacking.

  2. Conze DB, Brenner C, Kruger CL (2019). Safety and Metabolism of Long-term Administration of […] (Nicotinamide Riboside Chloride) in a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial of Healthy Overweight Adults. Scientific Reports. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46120-z

    The trial examined how healthy adults with overweight tolerate nicotinamide riboside over eight weeks and how their blood values change. It was randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled. Blood NAD+ may rise depending on the amount taken, and adverse events were about as frequent as with placebo.

  3. Zhang J, Poon ET-C, Wong SH-S (2024). Efficacy of oral nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation on glucose and lipid metabolism for adults: a systematic review with meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2024.2387324

    The paper asks whether NMN affects blood sugar and blood lipids in adults. It is a systematic review with meta-analysis of 12 studies with 513 people. NMN raised NAD levels, but most clinically relevant values showed no difference from control groups.

  4. Chen F et al. (2024). Effects of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials. Current Diabetes Reports. DOI: 10.1007/s11892-024-01557-z

    The paper asks whether NMN changes glucose and lipid metabolism in adults. It is a systematic review with meta-analysis of 8 randomised trials with 342 people. A short-term benefit for blood sugar, insulin or blood lipids could not be shown.

  5. Damgaard MV, Treebak JT (2023). What is really known about the effects of nicotinamide riboside supplementation in humans. Science Advances. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi4862

    The review checks what is actually established about nicotinamide riboside in humans. It critically assesses 25 published human studies. Clinically relevant effects were rare, and reported effects may often be overstated in the literature.

  6. EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) et al. (2019). Safety of nicotinamide riboside chloride as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 and bioavailability of nicotinamide from this source, in the context of Directive 2002/46/EC. EFSA Journal. DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2019.5775

    The opinion assesses whether nicotinamide riboside chloride is safe as a novel food in food supplements. It is a scientific assessment by the European Food Safety Authority. EFSA considered it safe for healthy adults under the proposed conditions and, for pregnant and breastfeeding women, only in a smaller amount.

  7. EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) et al. (2026). Safety of beta‐nicotinamide mononucleotide (β‐NMN) pursuant the regulation (EU) 2015/2283 and the bioavailability of nicotinamide from this source in the context of Directive 2002/46/EC. EFSA Journal. DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10007

    The opinion assesses whether synthetically produced β-NMN is safe as a novel food in food supplements. It is a scientific assessment by the European Food Safety Authority. EFSA considered it safe under the proposed conditions for adults, excluding pregnant and breastfeeding women.

  8. Kim M et al. (2022). Effect of 12-Week Intake of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide on Sleep Quality, Fatigue, and Physical Performance in Older Japanese Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients. DOI: 10.3390/nu14040755

    The study asks whether twelve weeks of NMN affect sleep, fatigue and physical performance in older people. It was randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled with 108 older adults in Japan. Afternoon intake showed signs of better leg function and less drowsiness, while some values also improved with placebo.

  9. European Commission (2020). Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/16 of 10 January 2020 authorising the placing on the market of nicotinamide riboside chloride as a novel food under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 of the European Parliament and of the Council and amending Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470. Official Journal of the European Union. eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2020/16/oj

    The implementing regulation authorises the placing on the market of nicotinamide riboside chloride as a novel food. It is a legal act of the European Commission of 10 January 2020. It added the substance to the Union list.

  10. European Parliament and Council of the European Union (2015). Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2015 on novel foods, amending Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1852/2001. Official Journal of the European Union. eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2015/2283/oj

    The regulation sets out how novel foods are authorised in the EU. It is a legal act of the European Union. Under it, such a food may only be placed on the market once it is included in the Union list kept by the Commission.

  11. Maisel P, Baum E, Donner-Banzhoff N (2021). Fatigue as the Chief Complaint. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International. DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0192

    The paper summarises how family doctors may assess persistent fatigue. It is a review based on a literature search. Its authors suggest that history, physical examination and simple laboratory tests may usually be enough, with further tests mainly when other findings point that way.