Differential Effects of Vitamin C from Fruit and Vegetables Versus Supplements on the Risk of Frailty.

Higher fruit and vegetable intake was significantly associated with lower frailty risk in women.

• OR = 0.44 (95% CI = 0.264–0.731) comparing the highest intake group (Q4) vs. the lowest intake group (Q1) for fruit and vegetable intake
• This association was observed primarily in women
• Analysis based on 9478 adults from KNHANES 2018–2019
• Frailty was assessed using a modified Fried phenotype

Higher dietary vitamin C intake was significantly associated with lower frailty risk in women.

• OR = 0.60 (95% CI = 0.393–0.914) comparing Q4 vs. Q1 for dietary vitamin C intake
• Significant associations were observed primarily in women
• Dietary vitamin C was defined as intake from food sources including fruits and vegetables

Higher vitamin C intake specifically from fruits and vegetables was significantly associated with lower frailty risk.

• OR = 0.54 (95% CI = 0.348–0.851) comparing Q4 vs. Q1 for vitamin C intake from fruits and vegetables
• Association was significant primarily in women
• This was analyzed as a distinct category separate from total dietary vitamin C

Women with inadequate fruit and vegetable intake had a higher risk of frailty regardless of vitamin C supplement use.

• OR = 2.06 (95% CI = 1.34–3.16) for frailty risk in women with inadequate FV intake compared to those with adequate intake
• This elevated risk persisted regardless of whether women used vitamin C supplements
• More than 60% of participants had inadequate fruit and vegetable intake overall

Vitamin C supplementation was not significantly associated with frailty risk in either men or women.

• No significant association was found between supplemental vitamin C and frailty risk in multivariable logistic regression models
• This null finding applied to both sexes
• Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate ORs and 95% CIs

More than 60% of study participants had inadequate fruit and vegetable intake.

• Sample consisted of 9478 Korean adults from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2018–2019
• Over 60% of participants did not meet adequate fruit and vegetable intake levels
• Inadequate FV intake was assessed as part of the dietary assessment component