- Higher levels of vitamin C are linked to healthier brain scans, according to a new study that analyzed data from 2,044 older adults with a median age of 69 years.
- The study found that people with lower vitamin C levels had less gray matter volume and weaker connectivity within the default mode network (DMN), which is crucial for memory and cognitive functions.
- Vitamin C is one of the brain's most concentrated antioxidants, helping to neutralize oxidative stress that contributes to cognitive decline.
- The study concluded that higher levels of vitamin C are essential for strong brain health, reinforcing the importance of dietary habits.
- Participants with less vitamin C in their plasma also exhibited less gray matter and reduced activity in the DMN, which is responsible for attention.
- This study adds to a growing body of evidence that links vitamin C to better brain health outcomes.
Vitamin C is emerging as a vital nutrient for brain health, according to a study of 2,044 older adults with a median age of 69. Researchers found that those with lower vitamin C levels exhibited less gray matter volume and weaker connectivity in the brain's default mode network (DMN), which is crucial for cognitive functions like attention.236
The study highlights that vitamin C is one of the brain's most concentrated antioxidants, helping to neutralize oxidative stress linked to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Haruka Nagaya, a co-author, stated, “These findings suggest the possibility that optimal levels of vitamin C in blood plasma could potentially support cognitive function and counteract cognitive decline.”
Additionally, vitamin C levels were significantly associated with white matter volume, indicating that the nutrient's impact on brain health extends across multiple structural markers. Dr. Tomohiro Shintaku emphasized the importance of dietary habits, noting, “It truly highlights the potential impact of our everyday dietary habits on our brain structures.”
The study adds to a growing body of evidence linking vitamin C to better brain health outcomes, suggesting that maintaining adequate levels through diet, such as consuming citrus fruits or orange juice, could be beneficial as we age.
“A new study indicates that higher levels of vitamin C are essential for strong brain health in older adults. Participants with lower vitamin C levels exhibited less gray matter and weaker brain connectivity.”
MindBodyGreen