A Japanese study published in the journal "PLOS ONE" showed that vitamin C helps maintain brain health in older adults.
The study included 2,044 people with an average age of 69. All participants underwent MRI scans of the brain, and their blood plasma vitamin C levels were measured. The researchers then assessed the volume of gray and white matter, as well as the state of the so-called default mode network (DMN) in the brain, a system of interconnected regions responsible for memory, reasoning, and self-reflection.
The results showed that people with low blood levels of vitamin C were more likely to have reduced gray matter volume in the brain, and they also had poor connectivity between regions of the default mode network. These patterns persisted even after taking into account factors such as age, sex, education level, physical activity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other risk factors.
The authors emphasize that the study does not prove a causal relationship, but the results suggest a possible role for vitamin C in maintaining brain structure and preserving neural connections.
Many studies indicate that vitamin C helps support the body’s immune system and reduce inflammation, which has a positive effect on the health of the heart, arteries, and nervous system. In addition, it acts as an antioxidant and has the ability to stimulate the growth of skin cells and enhance the thickness of the epidermal layer.
