Higher dietary vitamin C intake linked to lower metabolic syndrome risk

Study design: This cross-sectional analysis utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2018, including 12,943 adults ≥20 years of age. Researchers assessed dietary vitamin C intake through 24-hour dietary recalls and evaluated its association with metabolic syndrome (MetS), defined by the presence of at least three of five risk factors (abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, high BP, and high fasting glucose).

Results: Higher dietary vitamin C intake was inversely associated with the risk of MetS. Participants in the highest tertile of vitamin C intake had a significantly lower risk of MetS compared with those in the lowest tertile (adjusted odds ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.68-0.93). The protective effect was more pronounced in women and in individuals ages 20 to 39 years and those ≥60 years of age. Vitamin C intake from fruits and vegetables showed a stronger inverse relationship with MetS risk compared with intake from other sources.

Impact on clinical practice: Increasing dietary vitamin C intake, particularly from fruits and vegetables, may help reduce the risk of MetS. Clinicians may consider dietary counseling to promote vitamin C-rich foods as part of a comprehensive strategy to prevent MetS.

Source:

Yu X, et al. (2024, October 28). Metab Syndr Relat Disord. Association of Dietary Vitamin C Intake with the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome Among Adults: NHANES 2007-2018. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39466037/