Have you been loading up on too much Vitamin C? Here are the possible side-effects
Have you been loading up on too much Vitamin C? Here are the possible side-effects
Immunity
has been the most searched keyword of the year 2020. The coronavirus
pandemic has made us all take our health seriously. While there is
already a vaccine to combat the deadly virus, it might take an year or
two before everyone is vaccinated. Till then, it's absolutely necessary
to take care of our immunity the way we have been doing in the past.
Boosting immunity has made us all consume various foods and supplements. We all know that foods rich in vitamin C work wonder for boosting immunity. We all have been loading up on Vitamin C foods as well as Vitamin C supplements.
But have you ever thought if consuming too much of vitamin C, just like any other thing can backfire? Here is what happens when you do that.
Going overboard with Vitamin C
While
having healthy foods, people often forget the saying, 'too much of
anything is bad'. This logic applies to immunity-boosting vitamins and
supplements too. Ignorance about how much Vitamin C is needed by the
body for healthy functioning can lead to overconsumption.
How much Vitamin C does your body need?
As
per studies, the recommended amount of Vitamin C is between 65-90
milligrams per day. The upper limit is 2000 mg/day. Understanding it in
terms of food quantities, one orange contains around 51 mg of Vitamin C.
Thus, consuming two oranges per day is more than enough to provide you
with a daily dose of vitamin C.
Side effects of consuming too much Vitamin C
Though
the upper limit to consume Vitamin C is 2000, which makes it very
difficult to over-consume the nutrient. Though when overdosed, the body
can show the following symptoms.
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Abdominal cramps
- Insomnia
- Headache
Simply discontinuing Vitamin C can help relieve the symptoms.
Verdict
While
consuming Vitamin C is important, you should try to consume a healthy
diet that has all the nutrients, which can help your body stay fit and
healthy. Supplements should be consumed only when advised by a doctor.
Remember, supplements can only make up for the nutrients that you could
not get from food, they cannot replace a meal.