• helps to protect cells and keeps them healthy
• maintains healthy skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage
• helps with wound healing

Lack of vitamin C can lead to scurvy. Mild deficiencies may occur in infants given unsupplemented cows’ milk and in people with poor or very restricted diets.

Good sources of vitamin C

Vitamin C is found in a wide variety of fruit and vegetables. Good sources include:

• oranges and orange juice
• red and green peppers
• strawberries
• blackcurrants
• broccoli
• brussels sprouts
• potatoes

How much vitamin C do I need?

Adults (19-64 years) 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 can’t 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 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, don’t 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.