A new study conducted by researchers at the Otago Medical School in New Zealand found that collagen production and skin renewal respond directly to the amount of vitamin C we consume.
اضافة اعلان
According to the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, vitamin C levels in the skin are closely linked to plasma levels in the blood and can be enhanced by increasing fruit intake.
The study, conducted on twenty healthy adults in New Zealand and Germany, showed that increasing plasma levels by consuming two vitamin C-rich kiwis daily increases the vitamin in the skin, improving skin thickness (collagen production) and stimulating renewal of the outer skin layer.
The study had two phases: the first focused on the relationship between vitamin C levels in plasma and skin, using healthy skin samples from patients undergoing elective surgery at Timaru Hospital, Canterbury. The second phase was an interventional study, before and after vitamin C intake, involving twelve healthy participants in each phase.
All participants consumed two “Kiwi Gold” fruits daily—equivalent to 250 mg of vitamin C—for eight weeks. Skin samples were collected before and after the intervention. Separate analyses allowed examination of the basal layers of the skin in Christchurch and the outer skin layer, as well as skin function tests conducted in Germany, explained Professor Visser.
Importance of Vitamin C for Skin
The lead author, Professor Margaret Visser, said: “We were surprised by the strong correlation between plasma vitamin C levels and those in the skin, which was far more pronounced than in any other organ we studied. We are the first to show that vitamin C in the bloodstream penetrates all layers of the skin and improves skin function.”
Vitamin C is known to be essential for collagen production, which inspired its addition to many skincare creams. However, its high water solubility makes it difficult to absorb through the outer skin barrier. This study shows that the skin efficiently absorbs vitamin C from the bloodstream, with uptake in the outer layer also prioritized.
Visser added: “Another important finding was the significant increase in skin thickness among participants, reflecting higher collagen production and improved skin cell renewal. We chose kiwifruit for the study because of its high vitamin C content, but other vitamin C-rich foods—especially fresh fruits and vegetables such as citrus, berries, bell peppers, and broccoli—are expected to have similar benefits. This means that increasing dietary vitamin C can effectively enhance skin vitamin C levels throughout all layers.”
Medical Xpress
