There has been a lot of research analysing the effects of Vitamin C on certain types of viruses.
It has been suggested that increased Vitamin C consumption can help with reducing the frequency of asthma attacks or against bronchial hypersensitivity, along with improving symptoms of common colds. Three studies have even shown that Vitamin C can prevent pneumonia.
Vitamin C plays a crucial role in immunity, and a deficiency in it can lead to a higher susceptibility of a cold or a virus. When we are unwell, our bodies require almost double the amount of vitamin C they usually do to fight an infection, so consuming more could be beneficial in reducing the time you are unwell.
New research (although not yet published) has come out from China indicating the benefits of consuming Vitamin C to aid with the recovery from Coronavirus. One particular study looked at a family who took a daily dose of Vitamin C, and although the frail elderly grandmother contracted the virus, the daughter who cared for her mother did not.
The medical team felt that this daily dose of Vitamin C significantly helped the daughter from not contracting the virus, whilst it also aided the grandmother’s recovery during the illness. We understand there are a lot of variables here, and it is by no means evidence-based, but it is food for thought. Link - https://www.drwlc.com/blog.
Other studies are continuing, and it will be very interesting to see if a link is found through increasing your intake of Vitamin C and the reduced risk (and increased recovery) from the Coronavirus.
At time of writing, there is no treatment for Coronavirus, however, we feel that adding vitamin c to your diet will do no harm. (Just to note - in the study they talk about a “high” dose of vitamin C. We are not recommending a high dose as it can cause gastrointestinal upset).
Ensure that you eat one or more of the following daily to keep that immune system fighting fit, ready to beat this virus!
- red pepper (1 cup = 190mg)
- broccoli (1 cup = 101mg)
- brussel sprouts (1 cup = 96mg)
- strawberry (1 cup = 85mg)
- pineapple (1 cup = 79mg)
- orange (1 cup = 70mg)
- kiwi (1 cup = 64mg)
- green pepper (1 cup = 60mg)
Below are some research papers that give us a little more insight into the benefits of taking Vitamin C:
Hemilä, H. & Douglas, R. M. (1999). Vitamin C and acute respiratory infections. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases 3, 756–61.
Hemilä, H (2003). Vitamin C and SARS coronavirus. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 52: 6, (049–1050)
Hemilä, H (2017). Vitamin C and Infections. Nutrients. 29;9(4)
Hemilä, H (2013). Vitamin C and common cold-induced asthma: a systematic review and statistical analysis. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 26;9(1):46.
