Adults who regularly consume foods rich in vitamin C have higher skeletal muscle mass.
Age causes us to lose skeletal muscle mass. It includes all the muscles related to the bones. This natural evolution can lead to sarcopenia, a decrease in muscle capacity and can degrade the quality of life. “IPeople over 50 lose up to 1% of their skeletal muscle mass each year.points out Ailsa Welch, lead author of a study on the subject, and this loss would affect up to 50 million people worldwide.” In this research, she found that people in this age group who consume a lot of vitamin C have better levels of skeletal muscle mass. Vitamin C”helps defend the cells and tissues that make up the body against potentially harmful free radicals. These substances may participate in the destruction of muscle, and accelerate age-related decline”says the researcher.
Consume more vitamin C
The scientists analyzed data from more than 13,000 people between the ages of 42 and 82. The level of vitamin C in their plasma was analyzed as well as their consumption of foods containing it. “People with the highest levels of vitamin C, either in their diet or in their blood, had the best levels of skeletal muscle mass, in comparison at those with the lowest rates”, explains Dr. Richard Hayhoe, co-author of the study. According to him, this proves that eating foods rich in vitamin C is important for muscle health. “As vitamin C is present in fruits and vegetables and in supplements, increasing its consumption is simple”, he insists. Vitamin C is naturally present in citrus fruits, berries and vegetables.
One orange a day
Their study also allowed them to find that 60% of men and 50% of women do not consume enough vitamin C, taking into account the recommendations of the European Food Safety Agency. “We’re not talking about people who need huge doseshe says. Eating a citrus fruit, such as an orange, every day and having a vegetable side dish with the meal is enough for most people..”
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