Higher Vitamin C Associated with Lower Blood Pressure

Higher blood levels of vitamin C intake are associated with lower blood pressure in young women. Vitamin C has well-known anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects.

Participants were 242 healthy black and white women aged 18 to 21 years who were examined for blood pressure and blood levels of vitamin C. Vitamin C results were grouped into four categories from lowest to highest. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure declined significantly as the vitamin C level rose, and the results remained statistically significant even after adjusting for patients weight, race, diet, and education. A higher vitamin C level was also predictive of smaller blood-pressure changes during the year before measurement.

An effect of vitamin C on lowering blood pressure had already been documented in older and/or hypertensive patients. This study suggests a way to prevent high blood pressure and age-related cardiovascular disease beginning in young adulthood.

-Laura J. Ninger, ELS

* Block G, Jensen CD, Norkus EP, Hudes M, Crawford PB, Vitamin C in plasma is inversely related to blood pressure during the previous year in young Black and White women. Nutr J. 2008 Dec 17;7:35.

Aug 28, 2010