Vitamin C deficiency may be associated with cognitive decline in older adults

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Older adults with low vitamin C levels may be more likely to experience poorer memory, reduced thinking ability, and other signs of declining brain health. Vitamin C plays an important role in protecting brain cells from oxidative stress, supporting blood vessel health, and maintaining normal nervous system function. Although more research is needed to determine whether low vitamin C directly causes cognitive decline, these findings suggest that eating vitamin C–rich foods, such as citrus fruits, berries, peppers, and leafy vegetables, may help support healthy brain aging.

Source

Nagaya H, Watanabe K, Shintaku T, et al. Plasma vitamin C levels are associated with brain structural networks on MRI: a large cohort study. PLoS One. 2026;21(6):e0348504. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0348504

Additional Reading

https://www.health.com/low-vitamin-c-linked-to-poorer-brain-health-11991138

https://www.aol.com/articles/low-vitamin-c-levels-linked-132813000.html

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260626030428.htm