What is Vitamin C?

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, has several important functions.

These include: helping to protect cells and keeping them healthy maintaining healthy skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage helping with wound healing.

A lack of vitamin C can lead to scurvy.

Which produce is high in Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is found in a wide variety of fruit and vegetables.

Good sources include: citrus fruit, such as oranges and orange juice,peppers
strawberries, blackcurrants, broccoli, brussels sprouts ,potatoes

How much Vitamin C do I need?
Adults aged 19 to 64 need 40mg of vitamin C a day. You should be able to get all the vitamin C you need from your daily diet.

Vitamin C cannot be stored in the body, so you need it in your diet every day.

What happens if I take too much vitamin C?
Taking large amounts (more than 1,000mg per day) of vitamin C can cause:stomach pain, diarrhoea, flatulence.

These symptoms should disappear once you stop taking vitamin C supplements.

What does the Department of Health and Social Care advise?
You should be able to get all the vitamin C you need by eating a varied and balanced diet.

If you take vitamin C supplements, do not take too much as this could be harmful.

Taking less than 1,000mg of vitamin C supplements a day is unlikely to cause any harm.

Information reviewed: 27th April 2023
Source: NHS.Uk