Common Vitamin May Influence Brain Aging in Unexpected Ways, Study Suggests
A new study from Japan suggests that higher blood levels of vitamin C may be linked to healthier brain structure and stronger neural connections in older adults, highlighting a potential role for nutrition in healthy brain aging
Common Vitamin May Influence Brain Aging in Unexpected Ways, Study Suggests
A new study from Japan suggests that higher blood levels of vitamin C may be linked to healthier brain structure and stronger neural connections in older adults, highlighting a potential role for nutrition in healthy brain aging.
The observational study, published in PLOS ONE, involved 2,044 participants from Hirosaki City, Japan, with an average age of 69 years. Researchers measured vitamin C levels through blood samples and used MRI scans to examine gray matter, white matter, and structural brain networks.
The findings showed that participants with lower vitamin C levels tended to have reduced brain tissue volumes and weaker structural connectivity, even after accounting for factors such as age, smoking, diabetes, and other lifestyle variables.
According to lead researcher Dr. Tomohiro Shintaku, older adults with higher blood concentrations of vitamin C generally exhibited better-preserved gray matter and stronger connectivity within the brain’s default mode network (DMN), a system closely associated with memory and cognitive function. The DMN is also known to be affected in conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and depression.
Researchers noted that the study is observational and cannot establish a cause-and-effect relationship. While it identifies an association between vitamin C levels and markers of brain health, it does not prove that increasing vitamin C intake or taking supplements will prevent cognitive decline or improve brain function.
The study also emphasized that humans cannot produce vitamin C naturally, making dietary intake essential. Foods rich in vitamin C—including citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes, and leafy green vegetables—may help support brain health as people age.
Experts cautioned that vitamin C should be viewed as one component of overall brain health rather than a standalone solution. Factors such as blood pressure, blood sugar control, diet, physical activity, and other lifestyle habits remain important contributors to maintaining cognitive function and reducing the risk of age-related brain disorders.
