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# Dietary vitamin C boosts cognitive function
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/dietary_vitamin_c_boosts_cognitive_function_0702160324/
- Published: 2016-07-02T16:23:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-15T08:34:58.000Z
- Description: Among 128 adults aged 65 to 80, vitamin C from food, but not from supplements, was positively associated with Digit Span scores, while vitamin E, beta-carotene and selenium were not linked to cognitive scores. The researchers say further research is needed.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Vitamins, Nutrition, #vivvo-import

Saturday July 2, 2016 (foodconsumer.org) -- Scientists at University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware conducted a study and found that high intake of vitamin C from diet may help maintain or even boost cognitive function in older people.

  
Alzheimer's disease featured with cognitive decline is considered to have something to do with oxidative stress. So it is theoretically possible that high intake of antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene and selenium may help maintain cognitive function.

  
The study recently published in FASEB Journal shows that vitamin C intake from foods but not supplements, was associated with cognitive scores. Vitamin E, beta-carotene and selenium were not correlated with cognitive scores though.

  
The study was based on data from 128 men and women aged at 65 to 80 years. Dietary information was obtained through a food frequency questionnaire and cognitive function was evaluated for the study using Montreal Cognitive Assessment score, total Digit Span score, and Digit Span scaled score.

  
Specifically, dietary vitamin C was positively associated with total Digit Span score and Digit Span scaled score.

  
The scientists say in their study report "further research is needed to investigate the possible protective effects of dietary vitamin C intake in cognitive function."(David Liu)

  
*Kristina Davis, Sheau C Chai, Mia A Papas, Julia Saltzgiver, Danielle Falk and Alexandra Caulfield, Vitamin C from Foods, but Not Supplements, Is Associated with Increased Cognitive Function in Older Adults, April 2016, The FASEB Journal, vol. 30 no. 1 Supplement lb218*

  
**More reports**

  
### [Vitamin E, vitamin C, niacin prevent dementia, boost cognitive function](https://www.foodconsumer.org/vitamin%5Fe%5Fvitamin%5Fc%5Fniacin%5Fprevent%5Fdementia%5F1205131057/)

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Dec 6, 2013 - Taking dietary supplements vitamin E and vitamin C together or taking niacin can reduce risk of developing dementia and improve cognitive ...

### [foodconsumer.org - Vitamin C may protect against Alzheimer's disease](https://www.foodconsumer.org/vitamin%5Fc%5Falzheimer%5Fs%5Fdisease%5F0907151255/)

www.foodconsumer.org/.../**Vitamins**/**vitamin**\_**c**\_alzheimer\_s\_disease\_0907...

Sep 7, 2015 - Vitamin C may protect against Alzheimer's disease. ... with C-IMT. The subjects involved in the study had no or very mild cognitive impairment.

### [foodconsumer.org - Vitamin C may protect against Alzheimer's disease](https://www.foodconsumer.org/vitamin%5Fc%5Falzheimer%5Fs%5Fdisease%5F0504151030/)

www.foodconsumer.org/.../**Vitamins**/**vitamin**\_**c**\_alzheimer\_s\_disease\_05... 

1. [](http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:4CmWmeAdgUEJ:www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Nutrition/Vitamins/vitamin%5Fc%5Falzheimer%5Fs%5Fdisease%5F0504151030.html+&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&ref=foodconsumer.org)

May 4, 2015 - Vitamin C may protect against Alzheimer's disease. ... thickness, which is an indicator for Alzheimer's disease or cognitive function