Vitamin C is important in the formation of collagena nutrient essential for the health of blood vessels, connective tissue, ligaments, tendons and bones. But new research has found that vitamin C can also help regulate blood pressure.
A 10-year study involving 242 women between the ages of 18 and 21 was conducted by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. The participants all presented normal blood pressure levels at the start.
Lead researcher Gladys Block, Ph.D., of the University of California, Berkley, said they found that both the systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure decreased in patients who ate ascorbic acid-rich fruits and vegetables and took vitamin C supplements over the 10-year study period.
According to the published results, the findings were the same when researchers allowed for differences in body mass, race, education levels, dietary fat and sodium intake.
[This] strongly suggests that vitamin C is specifically important in maintaining a healthy blood pressure. And also strongly suggests that the people with the highest blood level of vitamin C had the least increase in blood pressure, Block said.
Since these results were favorable for young adults, Block and her colleagues are calling for future trials for all ages.
The findings were published in the Nutrition Journal.