Is Too Much Vitamin C Bad For You?
Short answer
Ascorbic acid is necessary for life and provides significant benefit to overall health, but consuming more than the recommended daily limit can result in short-term undesirable or uncomfortable side effects.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Ascorbic acid is the chemical name of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is naturally present in many fruits and vegetables including oranges, sweet peppers, strawberries, grapefruit, papayas, kiwis, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and peas. It is also added to foods like cold cereals, vinegar, cured meats, rolled oats, powdered milk, fruit juice, sorbet, wine, and mustard as a natural preservative. People who suspect they may be getting sick sometimes take over-the-counter Vitamin C to fight infection and shorten the duration and severity of the illness. Those who do not receive enough Vitamin C in their daily diet may also supplement with over-the-counter vitamins.
Incorporating an adequate dose of Vitamin C into one's daily diet can help prevent illness and infection. However, exceeding the recommended daily dose of 2,000 milligrams can result in uncomfortable (but typically not harmful) side effects. Because the intestine is not able to absorb excessive amounts of ascorbic acid, water volume in the gastrointestinal tract increases, causing severe abdominal cramps, pain, diarrhea, and the potential for dehydration. Those experiencing gastrointestinal side effects should lower their daily dose of Vitamin C. Furthermore, a 2005 Journal of Clinical Nutrition study found that intake of excessive ascorbic acid increases the risk for development of kidney stones, which can be painful to pass and may require medical attention.
While these untoward effects are both undesirable and uncomfortable, neither is proven to result in long-term harm to the body.
Possible short-term side effects
- abdominal cramps
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pain
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diarrhea
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dehydration
Possible long-term side effects
Healthier alternatives
- stay below 2,000 milligrams daily
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Written by Desmond Richard
Published on: 03-16-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Desmond Richard
Published on: 03-16-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
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