Vitamin C and Heart Health: A Review Based on Findings from Epidemiologic Studies

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#antioxidants #ascorbic-acid #cardiovascular-diseases #dietary-supplements #epidemiologic-studies

Vitamin C and Heart Health: A Review Based on Findings from Epidemiologic Studies

Moser et al., 2016 | Int J Mol Sci | Meta Analysis

Citation

Moser Melissa A, Chun Ock K. Vitamin C and Heart Health: A Review Based on Findings from Epidemiologic Studies. Int J Mol Sci. 2016-Aug-12;17(8). doi:10.3390/ijms17081328

Abstract

Vitamin C is a powerful dietary antioxidant that has received considerable attention in the literature related to its possible role in heart health. Although classical vitamin C deficiency, marked by scurvy, is rare in most parts of the world, some research has shown variable heart disease risks depending on plasma vitamin C concentration, even within the normal range. Furthermore, other studies have suggested possible heart-related benefits to vitamin C taken in doses beyond the minimal amounts required to prevent classically defined deficiency. The objective of this review is to systematically review the findings of existing epidemiologic research on vitamin C and its potential role in cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is well established that vitamin C inhibits oxidation of LDL-protein, thereby reducing atherosclerosis, but the cardiovascular outcomes related to this action and other actions of vitamin C are not fully understood. Randomized controlled trials as well as observational cohort studies have investigated this topic with varying results. Vitamin C has been linked in some work to improvements in lipid profiles, arterial stiffness, and endothelial function. However, other studies have failed to confirm these results, and observational cohort studies are varied in their findings on the vitamin's effect on CVD risk and mortality. Overall, current research suggests that vitamin C deficiency is associated with a higher risk of mortality from CVD and that vitamin C may slightly improve endothelial function and lipid profiles in some groups, especially those with low plasma vitamin C levels. However, the current literature provides little support for the widespread use of vitamin C supplementation to reduce CVD risk or mortality.

Key Findings

However, the current literature provides little support for the widespread use of vitamin C supplementation to reduce CVD risk or mortality.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition deficiency

MeSH Terms

  • Antioxidants
  • Ascorbic Acid
  • Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Epidemiologic Studies
  • Humans
  • Oxidation-Reduction

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-c-cardiovascular

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09