Is there any real benefit to taking a multi-vitamin?

Yes: A malabsorbtion disorder, vitamin deficient diet, some intestinal parasites or a psychological need to feel you are doing something good for yourself. The average us diet will provide adequate vitamin intake so that there is no need for supplements. When there is a specific vitamin deficiency it is due to a disease process and multi-vitamins are not necessary. Just the vitamin lacking.

Yes: Our food is not as nutritious as it used to be because of how it its grown, when it is picked and how long it is stored before we eat it. Processed foods are often even less nutritious. A good quality multivitamin can help to make up for some of those deficiences, but does not take the place of a good diet of whole foods, lots of vegetables and fruits with bright colors.