Higher Vitamin C Associated With Preserved Brain Structure

A large-scale study has found a significant association between higher levels of vitamin C in the blood and better-preserved brain structure in older adults. The research, published on June 10, 2026, in the journal PLOS One, analyzed data from 2,044 Japanese adults over the age of 64.

Scientists from Hirosaki University in Japan examined magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans alongside measurements of vitamin C in blood plasma. They found that participants with lower plasma vitamin C levels tended to have a lower volume of gray matter, the brain tissue responsible for processing information. These individuals also showed lower connectivity within a key brain network known as the default mode network, which is involved in functions like attention and autobiographical memory.

The analysis accounted for other factors that could influence brain health, including age, physical activity habits, and education level. The findings suggest the possibility that optimal vitamin C levels could support cognitive function and help counteract age-related cognitive decline. Researchers noted that this study builds on previous research linking diets rich in vitamin C to a lower risk of cognitive...