By Staff Writer (media@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Sep 08, 2015 06:00 AM EDT

A new study showed that taking vitamin C every day can lower the risk for vascular disease, particularly among overweight individuals. People are encouraged to consume the nutrient daily for better health.

Telegraph reported that the study was conducted by scientists at the University of Colorado in the United States, where they observed the effects of vitamin C on blood vessels. Before, vitamin C supplements were shown to boost blood vessel function. The new results presented that the nutrient is also beneficial in lowering ET-1 activity. The results were presented at the 14th International Conference on Endothelin by the American Physiological Society in Savannah, United States.

The researchers analyzed 35 sedentary and overweight or obese adults for three months. 20 of the participants consumed daily supplements, while 15 performed aerobic exercises every day. The tests showed that taking about 500mg of vitamin C daily had the same effect as walking in terms of lowering ET-1 related vessel constriction.

Among overweight or obese people, there is greater activity of endothelin-1 (ET-1), a small vessel-constricting protein found in their blood vessels. Blood vessels with high ET-1 activity are more likely to constrict. If blood vessels constrict or narrow, these will be less effective in meeting blood flow demands, thereby increasing people’s risk for vascular disease.

The recent finding suggested that taking vitamin C daily can be as effective as exercise to boost the heart condition of obese individuals. Scientists discovered that taking a tablet of vitamin C each day will have the same cardiovascular results as regular physical activity. The results are especially helpful because many overweight and obese individuals stated that they do not have sufficient time to regularly exercise, based on the same report by Telegraph..

In the past, vitamin C was also revealed to be highly effective in preventing a cold, preventing exercise-induced attacks among asthmatic people and boosting the immune system. However, individuals should also avoid taking too much vitamin C or over 1,000 mg each day. Some of the side effects include stomach cramps, stomach pain and diarrhea.

“If we can improve different measures of risk for disease without changing weight, it takes a little bit of the pressure off some people […] It’s important to know what other lifestyle changes we can offer people who can’t exercise,” said lead author Caitlin Dow in a report by Pulse Headlines.

More updates and details on the benefits of vitamin C are expected soon.

© 2015 Latinos Post. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.