Ascorbic acid improves brachial artery vasodilation during progressive handgrip exercise in the elderly through a nitric oxide-mediated mechanism

Age-related impairments in vascular function are associated with reduced nitric oxide bioavailability and augmented free radicals leading to oxidative stress. Ascorbic acid improved endothelium-dependent vasodilation during dynamic handgrip exercise without a concomitant attenuation of free radical outflow across the forearm.