Educational only. Not medical advice.

Blood Pressure and Antioxidants

Essential hypertension—high blood pressure without an identifiable cause—may be influenced by oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when unstable molecules create damage in the body. Antioxidants such as vitamin C help neutralize these molecules.

Research from Boston University School of Medicine and the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University found that vitamin C supplementation lowered blood pressure, possibly due to its antioxidant properties. This study was published in The Lancet (December 11, 1999; 354(9195)).

The study included 45 adults with diastolic blood pressure above 90 mm Hg. Participants took 500 mg/day of vitamin C for one month. Individuals who were on blood pressure medication discontinued their medication prior to the study to avoid interference.

What the Study Found

After one month of vitamin C supplementation:

  • Systolic pressure dropped from 155 → 142 mm Hg

  • Diastolic pressure dropped from 87 → 79 mm Hg

  • Mean blood pressure decreased from 110 → 100 mm Hg

This represents an average drop of about 9%.

Why This Matters

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that may help protect blood vessels and support normal vascular function. Although this was a small study, the results were encouraging and suggest a need for further investigation into nutrient-based support for cardiovascular health.