Most people want to know if vitamin C can cause bloating. Read this piece to find out.
The popularity of vitamin C has spread far and wide. Chances are, you take vitamin C supplements as a way of boosting your immune system. And, that’s perfectly okay. Asides the fact that vitamin improves your immune system, there are other great benefits of Vitamin C.
They include protection against cardiovascular diseases, eye diseases, and even skin wrinkling. It could also help you manage high blood pressure, prevent a gout attack, and curb iron deficiencies. There is a long list of the benefits of vitamin C, a very long one that it is easy to forget that it also poses some side effects.
In this article, I aim to explore the potential of vitamin C leading to bloating and what one can do to reduce the probability of its use resulting in bloating.
First, what is bloating?
Bloating is the buildup of gas in the stomach and intestine. However, most times, the buildup occurs in your stomach(abdomen).
Bloating makes you feel your stomach is full or ‘stuffed.’ It gives you the sensation that there is no room in your stomach and is sometimes accompanied by pain and discomfort.
If you often feel bloated, do not be scared. About 16-30% of people report having frequent bloating- so, it is quite common.
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is an L-ascorbic Acid. It is also a water-soluble vitamin. This means, if you take in more than excess, you pee it out.
Vitamin C is also an essential vitamin. Essential vitamins are vitamins that are not produced by the body. So, it would be best if you consumed them regularly to ward off a deficiency. Luckily, vitamin C is present in most of our foods, as well as fruits.
If you picture an orange whenever you think of Vitamin C- you are right! Orange, as well, as other citrus fruits, is a vitamin C dynamo.
Does Vitamin C Cause Bloating?
Yes, there’s a probability of Vitamin C causing bloating.
Gas is one of the by-products of a functional digestive system. However, when it comes to bloating, there is always an imbalance in the digestive system, usually leading to an overproduction of gas. This imbalance can be caused by excess intake of Vitamin C. How?
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin. Unlike fat-soluble vitamins, they are not stored in the body. Instead, they are excreted through urine. Still, more is not always better. Why? Regularly opting for an overdose of Vitamin C can eventually lead to diarrhoea and abdominal bloating.
What exactly is an overdose?
The RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) varies with gender. Adult men are allowed to take up to 90 milligrams of Vitamin C, while women; 75 milligrams.
Also, engaging in certain habits means you need a higher intake of vitamin C, for instance, smoking.
Smoking generally exposes you to lots of free-radicals. And since vitamin C effectively eradicates free radicals from the body, more intake is needed. In this light, if you are a smoker, you should take 35 milligrams more than the RDA specific to your gender.
Despite the RDA, dosages up to 2000mg are still considered safe- because Vitamin C is water-soluble.
Excessive intake of supplements predisposes you to an overdose, which can eventually lead to digestive symptoms such as abdominal bloating.
The bottom line is…
Yes! Vitamin C can result in abdominal bloating. However, only excessive intake can do so, the consequences of which are now apparent. Do you want to reduce your chances of being bloated? Keep your intake moderate.
Author’s Bio
‘Bola Abioye is a licensed physiotherapist and seasoned writer who has found a way to merge her interest in both fields into one, by giving answers to health-related questions via her writing.
When she is not treating patients or writing, she likes to spend some time at the beach or bask in the glory of nature while sipping some cranberry juice.
