Vitamin C Could Be Just As Good As Exercise For Your Heart

BOSTON (CBS) - Could vitamin C be just as good as moderate exercise for your heart?

Researchers in Colorado looked at 35 sedentary obese or overweight adults and compared the effects of vitamin C and exercise on a protein that causes small blood vessels to narrow. That narrowing can lead to heart disease and stroke.

They found that taking 500 mg of vitamin C a day had the same positive effect on blood vessel tone as brisk walking five to seven times a week.

However, this was as small study and vitamin C should not be considered a substitute for regular exercise, which has many other health benefits.