When is best time to take vitamin C is a very important question that needs to be addressed knowing that it is important that you get the best out of your vitamin C supplements or foods in order to enrich your body and improve your health considering the essential benefits of vitamin C to health. Thus, in this guide, you are going to learn and understand the following about vitamin C:
- Best time of the day to take vitamin C
- Taking vitamin C on empty stomach
- What foods are highest in vitamin C
- Daily dose of vitamin C recommended
- Side effects from too much vitamin C
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Best Time Of The Day To Take Vitamin C
The timing and how to take vitamin C supplements play a vital role in promoting optimal absorption of the nutrient in the body. Although there is no scientifically proven time to take vitamin C, but it is highly perceived that taking any form of food, medicine, or supplements when the body is more relaxed makes it easy for the body to absorb the nutrients better. However, it is preferable to map out a specific time in the day to take vitamin C to avoid forgetting. But below are the best time to take vitamin C in some cases:
- Take vitamin C when you are not working or stressing yourself especially when you are relaxed so that the body can absorb it well. You can take a little dose of vitamin C at night a few hours before going to bed knowing that your body is more relaxed when you are asleep.
- Take vitamin C in the morning or afternoon and avoid taking it late at night, as it is believed that a high dosage of vitamin C at night may cause sleep disturbances although there is no scientific evidence to back it up.
- Take vitamin C after having your meal to avoid stomach irritation, as taking vitamin C on empty stomach on a high dosage for those with sensitive stomachs can cause diarrhea, nausea, and gas formation.
- Take vitamin C together with iron, as vitamin C enhances the absorption of iron in the body which is also an important nutrient to the body.
- Avoid taking vitamin C immediately after exercise because it can delay the body's recovery after exercise.
Daily Dose Of Vitamin C Recommended
After identifying the best time to take vitamin C, it is important to know the daily need of vitamin C intake so that you don't take less of it or excess of it which may distort the benefits of the nutrients to the body. The minimum amount of vitamin C to be taken by men in a day is about 90 milligrams, and women need about 75 milligrams per day. Meanwhile, some people may require a higher amount than the daily requirement in some cases of certain health conditions, and these categories include:
- People that smoke and those who are exposed to secondhand smoke need an additional 35 milligrams to their daily requirement
- Pregnant women need 85 milligrams per day
- Patients with some types of cancer require more milligrams per day
- Breastfeeding women need 120 milligrams per day
- Gastrointestinal patients, most notably kidney patients require more milligrams per day
- Those who follow a diet lacking in vegetables and fruits also need higher milligrams per day
- Vegetarians that eat a meat-free diet low in iron require higher milligrams per day
However, to be on the safer side, 200 milligrams of vitamin C per day is the most appropriate amount for adults, and you shouldn't exceed this limit to avoid excessive intake.
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What Foods Are Highest In Vitamin C?
After knowing the required amount of vitamin C to be taken in a day, let us also know the best sources for obtaining the daily requirement of vitamin C. Among the most prominent foods rich in vitamin C are vegetables and fruits which include the following:
- Watermelon
- Apples
- Lime
- Grapes
- Mangoes
- Guava
- Red and green pepper
- Tomato juice
- Oranges
- Broccoli
- Pineapple
- Strawberry
- Potatoes
- Kiwi
- Lemon
- Grapefruit
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
Side Effects From Too Much Vitamin C
Of course, vitamin C supplements are safe if taken in moderate amounts and after consulting a doctor, but high doses of vitamin C can result in some side effects which may include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Heartburn
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps and bloating
- Redness and irritation of the skin
- Headache
- Fatigue together with drowsiness and extreme tiredness
- Excessive intake of vitamin C may stress the kidney
- May cause some test results not to appear, such as stool tests as well as tests to detect glucose
- May reduce the effect of chemotherapy drugs when taken together with chemotherapy treatments
- Can reduce the effect of niacin and statins, which reduce high cholesterol levels.
- May increase estrogen levels when taken in conjunction with birth control pills or hormone replacement therapies
- May reduce the effect of antiviral drugs
- Can increase the absorption of aluminum from medicines, which may cause problems in patients with kidney disease
Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor and a nutritionist before adding a vitamin C supplement, to determine the appropriate dosage and what is the best time to take vitamin C.
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Summary And Takeaway
For the purpose of this guide, we discussed about the importance of vitamin C to health while pointing out when is best time to take vitamin C, side effects from too much vitamin C, daily dose of vitamin C recommended, what foods are highest in vitamin C, best time of the day to take vitamin C as well as the effects of taking vitamin C on empty stomach. With that being said, it is worthy to know that vitamin C is a very essential and important nutrient that the body requires almost on a daily basis in order to maintain healthy living. Therefore you should be informed about vitamin C and how to benefit from it immensely.
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