Archived Research: Vitamin C

Vitamin C may play a role in reducing the risk of developing heart disease. It has been shown to improve the health of blood vessels in patients with coronary artery disease. It may also have benefits in people with other risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and high blood levels of homocysteine.

Studies have observed that older adults who take vitamin C supplements have lower blood pressure readings, which could explain some of the decreased risk of heart disease and strokes.

Some studies have shown that moderate alcohol consumption reduces the risk of heart disease. Interestingly, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that people with angina who take vitamin C and drink alcohol moderately suffer less from their angina than those who take vitamin C and do not drink alcohol.

The National Health and Nutrition survey also found that women with a high intake of vitamin C have a lower incidence of gallstones.

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