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Vitamin C Intake Directly Affects Collagen Production and Skin Regeneration: Study Finds

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Recent studies reveal that vitamin C concentrations in the skin are closely linked to blood (plasma) levels, and can be enhanced by increasing fruit consumption. This research, involving 20 healthy individuals from New Zealand and Germany, demonstrated that eating two kiwifruits rich in vitamin C daily boosts plasma levels, elevates the vitamin content in the skin, enhances skin thickness (collagen production), and supports the regeneration of the skin’s outer layer.

Vitamin C (ascorbate) is found in all parts of the skin. Puller et al. conducted an extensive study to correlate plasma and skin ascorbic acid levels, emphasizing key skin compartments. Image credit: Pullar et al., doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2025.10.587.

“The strength of the link between skin thickness and vitamin C intake is striking,” remarked Professor Margriet Vissers from the University of Otago.

“We were taken aback by the significant correlation between plasma and skin vitamin C levels, which was notably stronger than that in other organs we examined.”

“For the first time, we have shown that circulating vitamin C penetrates all skin layers and correlates with enhanced skin function.”

“I’m incredibly proud of my team’s work and thrilled by the insights from our findings.”

The results imply that true beauty emanates from within, suggesting that vitamin C delivered through the bloodstream effectively supports skin function holistically.

“Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis.”

“This understanding has prompted the inclusion of vitamin C in numerous skincare formulations.”

“However, due to its high water solubility, vitamin C is not easily absorbed through the skin’s outer barrier.”

“Our findings indicate that the skin effectively absorbs vitamin C from blood circulation.”

“The uptake into the outer epidermal layers seems to be prioritized.”

The researchers utilized healthy skin samples from patients undergoing elective surgeries to establish the connection between plasma and skin vitamin C levels.

They carried out a pre- and post-dietary vitamin C intervention study involving 12 healthy participants in Christchurch, New Zealand, and Germany.

“Participants were instructed to consume two kiwifruits (equivalent to 250 micrograms of vitamin C) daily for eight weeks,” explained Professor Vissers.

“We collected skin samples before and after the dietary intervention, enabling us to analyze the basal skin layer in Christchurch and the integumentary skin layer alongside skin functionality tests in Germany.”

The researchers assessed skin sample regeneration, including skin thickness, elasticity, UV protection, and epidermal cell regeneration via ultrasound, to provide a comprehensive understanding of skin function.

“A significant finding was that participants’ skin thickness levels showed a notable increase, indicating enhanced collagen production and epidermal cell regeneration, essentially reflecting skin regeneration,” stated Professor Vissers.

Scientists propose that boosting dietary vitamin C intake can enrich all regions of your skin.

“It’s crucial to maintain optimal plasma levels, and we know that healthy individuals can easily reach these levels with approximately 250mg of vitamin C daily,” commented Professor Vissers.

“Nonetheless, vitamins are not stored by the body. Therefore, a healthy habit is to consume at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily, including foods high in vitamin C.”

Refer to the study published on October 28, 2025, in the Journal of Research Dermatology.

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Juliet M. Puller et al. Dietary intake of kiwifruit, a high vitamin C food, improves vitamin C levels and skin function in human skin. Journal of Research Dermatology published online October 28, 2025. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2025.10.587

Source: www.sci.news

How Lack of Hidden Sleep Affects Your Brain

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In 1964, a San Diego high school student named Randy Gardner participated in a Science Fair Project by staying awake for an astounding 11 days.

By the second day of the experiment, Gardner began to experience memory lapses. By the seventh day, he suffered from intense hallucinations, and by the 11th day, he exhibited inconsistencies, paranoia, and muscular tremors.

Fortunately, the 17-year-old fully recovered without any lasting effects. No one has surpassed this record since then, as noted in the Guinness Record Book. Due to health concerns, sleep deprivation records were discontinued in 1997.

However, cognitive decline can occur without an 11-day deprivation; even a few nights of poor sleep can lead to diminished functioning, memory recall, and emotional regulation.

Now, let’s explore the science behind sleep and its impact on brain performance.

What happens to your brain while you’re sleeping?

Photo credit: Getty

During sleep, our brains engage in essential repairs and various tasks, including removing waste and detoxifying itself.

Short-term memories are organized, long-term memories in the neocortex are solidified, and REM sleep plays a crucial role in problem-solving and emotional regulation.

But it’s not just all activity; there are restorative phases during non-REM sleep stages 1, 2, and 3, which slow the heartbeat, relax the muscles, and reduce brain wave activity—with brief bursts during stage 2.

In REM sleep, brain activity intensifies, resembling the state of wakefulness. The amygdala and hippocampus are highly active, aiding in memory processing and emotion regulation. This dream phase supports creative thinking when you wake up.

Brain impacts of poor sleep




Lack of sleep or poor sleep quality can impact your brain’s performance in several ways.

The prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making and problem-solving, becomes less effective. This leads to reduced attention, cognitive flexibility, and working memory.

An overactive amygdala can hinder the emotional contextualization of information, and difficulties in storing information in the cortex weaken memory integration.

Other short-term effects of inadequate sleep include:
• Impaired judgment
• Slowed reaction times
• Declined risk assessment

When sleep deprivation becomes normal




For individuals with chronic sleep disorders, these short-term consequences are part of their everyday reality.

Moreover, chronic sleep deprivation has serious ramifications. Research conducted by the National Medical Library reveals a link between chronic sleep deprivation and Alzheimer’s disease.

“Studies indicate that sleep performs essential housekeeping, such as clearing potentially harmful beta-amyloid proteins,” states the Sleep Foundation.

“In Alzheimer’s disease, the aggregation of beta-amyloid leads to cognitive decline. Even one night of sleep deprivation can increase the accumulation of beta-amyloid in the brain.”

According to one study, individuals with sleep disorders have a significantly elevated risk of developing Alzheimer’s, with an estimated 15% of cases linked to lack of sleep.

Maintaining brain health and cognitive function heavily relies on regular, quality sleep, making it essential to optimize your sleep environment.

Optimizing sleep quality




Hästens, a bed maker based in Sweden, recognizes the vital importance of quality sleep. Since 1852, Hästens has crafted handmade beds in the Swedish town of Kaepi, taking up to 600 hours and using only natural materials.

“A good night’s sleep will enhance your performance,” notes Hästens. “In today’s fast-paced world, sleep may feel like a luxury, but from a medical standpoint, it’s crucial for a strong immune system and overall health.”

Explore the full range of Hästens beds and accessories, and learn more about the benefits of quality sleep here.




Local Hästens Sleep Spa bed tests can be booked online www.hastens.com or at your nearest certified retailer.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

How Your Car’s Color Affects Urban Heat Levels

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A light-coloured car could lead to cooler streets

Olena Polkovnykova/Alamy

The color of a vehicle significantly influences the surrounding temperature. Darker cars tend to absorb and emit more heat than brighter ones, especially when parked on the street or in a parking lot. The cumulative effects of countless vehicles in urban areas can substantially intensify the urban heat island effect, exacerbating heat stress for pedestrians on sunny days.

“Have you ever noticed how you feel the heat radiating when passing a parked car on a hot day?” asks Marcia Mattias from the University of Lisbon, Portugal. “It’s not just your imagination!”

Mattias and her team monitored two parked cars (one black and one white) for over five hours under direct sunlight. Their findings revealed that the black car increased local temperatures by up to 3.8°C compared to the surrounding asphalt, which was already at 36°C on a clear summer day. In contrast, the white car had a considerably lesser impact on its environment.

This variation in temperature is primarily due to the reflective properties of vehicle paint; white paint reflects 75-85% of sunlight, whereas black paint reflects only 5-10%, absorbing the majority of incoming light. The thin metal and aluminum bodies of cars heat up rapidly in strong sunlight, unlike dark asphalt, which warms at a much slower rate. “With thousands of cars occupying city spaces, each acts like a small heat source or shield,” Mattias notes. “Their colors can genuinely transform the thermal dynamics of our streets.”

Research indicates that repainting vehicles from dark to light colors can create cooler surfaces on sunny, low-wind days and lower nearby air temperatures. For instance, in the case of Lisbon, performing this change could significantly enhance the sun’s reflection off road surfaces where parked cars occupy over 10% of the area.

Alicia Burke from the University of North Carolina remarked that “utilizing light-colored vehicles as a strategy to mitigate urban heat is particularly innovative.” Previous studies have mainly focused on improving the reflectivity of roofs and pavements.

Government vehicle fleets, taxis, delivery vans, and similar transportation groups are prime candidates for color transformation, according to Mattias.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Covid-19 Affects Blood Vessel Aging, Particularly in Women

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The stiffening of arteries with age, exacerbated by Covid-19

Peterschreiber.Media/Alamy

Covid-19 seems to speed up the aging of blood vessels, particularly in women.

The virus has been linked to cardiovascular issues such as heart disease, although the exact mechanisms remain unclear. For further insights, see Rosa Maria Bruno from the University of Parisite and her research team, who studied 2,390 individuals with an average age of 50 across 16 nations, including the UK and US, from September 2020 to February 2022.

Participants included those testing positive for Covid-19 viruses or for antibodies without vaccination, alongside others who were negative for both without past infections.

The health of their arteries was evaluated by measuring the speed of pressure wave transmission between the carotid artery in the neck and the femoral artery in the foot. This assesses arterial stiffness, which naturally increases with age and elevates heart disease risk.

Findings indicated that confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections were related to increased arterial stiffness in women. This correlation appeared to grow with infection severity; for instance, women hospitalized for Covid-19 showed an average arterial age roughly five years greater than their uninfected peers, rising to 7.5 years among those who needed intensive care.

Researchers accounted for other factors influencing arteriosclerosis, such as smoking and obesity.

However, no similar findings were present in men. Earlier studies indicate that women tend to have stronger responses to infections than men, and an inability to modulate immune responses can result in inflammatory damage. Bruno expressed hope for observable gender differences but noted that this study didn’t yield significant ones.

The results also shed light on long Covid, which is more prevalent among women. After six months, arterial stiffness in women showed slight improvement, yet remained notably high in patients with ongoing Covid-19 complications. “Our study demonstrated measurable changes in blood vessels correlating with the symptoms of long Covid patients,” said Bruno.

Some individuals in the uninfected group may have experienced mild infections unbeknownst to them, potentially influencing the study’s validity.

Regardless, Vassilios Vassilio from the University of East Anglia highlighted the study’s robustness, asserting it could aid in identifying individuals affected by long Covid. “This research marks the first large, international multicenter investigation confirming an association between COVID-19 and accelerated vascular aging,” he noted. “The findings enhance comprehension of mechanisms post-Covid-19 syndrome and may pave the way for targeted pharmaceutical approaches.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Incredible Ways Body Fat Affects Your Intermittent Fasting Experience

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Intermittent fasting has emerged as a popular approach to enhance health and boost metabolism. However, recent research indicates that its advantages may be diminished by body fat due to inconspicuous disruptions in the liver’s hunger adaptation.

In a study, researchers assessed liver modifications in both healthy and obese mice that lacked leptin, the hormone responsible for regulating appetite, during food deprivation periods. Intermittent fasting entails extended calorie restriction followed by a regular eating window.

Both mouse groups exhibited similar metabolic networks, comprising liver molecules that collaboratively manage energy; however, significant differences in timing were observed.

“In a healthy liver, energy-centric molecules such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) quickly respond to starvation and modulate various metabolic reactions,” stated Professor Shinya Kuroda in BBC Science Focus.

“This mechanism appears to be deficient and confused in obese individuals.”

To put it differently, in healthy mice, energy-related molecules like ATP and AMP operate as primary hubs, swiftly adapting metabolic responses to conserve and redistribute energy. Conversely, in obese mice, these molecules did not exhibit a quick response, resulting in a sluggish and disoriented reaction to starvation.

A rapid response from ATP and AMP during periods of food scarcity enables the liver to utilize energy from stored reserves. This process is believed to facilitate several benefits of intermittent fasting, such as weight reduction and better glycemic control.

Through a combination of structural and temporal metabolic analyses, the research team elucidates how obesity induces metabolic “jet lag,” complicating not just the timing but also the manner in which crucial molecular events transpire.

“Our findings could have significant implications for enhancing the effectiveness of intermittent fasting in humans,” Kuroda remarked.

“Next, we aim to identify easily detectable blood-based biomarkers in humans,” Kuroda added. “Ultimately, clinical research is necessary to assess our findings. The journey is lengthy, but every thousand-mile journey begins with a single step.”

This research was published in Science Signaling.

About Our Experts

Shinya Kuroda is a professor at the Faculty of Science at the University of Tokyo, Japan, focusing on Systems Biology. His research includes publications in Cell, Journal of Biochemistry, and Natural Cell Biology.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com