A new study from Japan suggests that higher levels of vitamin C may contribute to healthier brain aging in older adults. The research, published in the journal PLOS ONE, analyzed data from 2,044 participants in Hirosaki City, with an average age of 69. The study found that individuals with higher blood vitamin C levels had better-preserved gray matter and stronger connections within the default mode network (DMN), a brain network crucial for memory and cognitive function.
Researchers measured vitamin C levels through blood samples and used MRI scans to assess brain structure. Even after accounting for factors like age, smoking, diabetes, and lifestyle habits, the correlation between vitamin C levels and brain health remained significant. The study is the first to directly link blood plasma vitamin C levels to the structural connectivity of the DMN, which is often affected by conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and depression.
The findings suggest that nutrition, particularly vitamin C intake, may play a role in brain aging. While previous research has indicated that diets rich in vitamin C can lower the risk of cognitive decline, this study provides new evidence of a direct association between vitamin C levels and brain structure.