What will happen if you take too many vitamin C tablets? ——Scientific interpretation of the effects of excessive intake of vitamin C
In recent years, with the increase in health awareness, vitamin C (vitamin C for short) has attracted much attention as a "star nutrient" that enhances immunity. However, discussions about "vitamin C tablet overdose" have surged recently on social media, causing public concern. This article will combine hot topics and data from the entire Internet in the past 10 days to provide you with a detailed analysis of the potential risks of overdose of vitamin C tablets and scientific suggestions.
1. Recommended intake and overdose standards of vitamin C tablets

According to the Reference Intake of Dietary Nutrients for Chinese Residents (2023 Edition), the daily requirements of vitamin C for different groups of people are as follows:
| crowd | Recommended intake (mg/day) | Maximum tolerated dose (mg/day) |
|---|---|---|
| adult male | 100 | 2000 |
| adult women | 100 | 2000 |
| pregnant woman | 130 | 2000 |
| Teenagers over 14 years old | 90-100 | 1800 |
2. Six potential risks of overdose of vitamin C tablets
1.digestive tract discomfort: Ingestion of more than 1000mg in a single intake may cause diarrhea, nausea or stomach cramps.
2.kidney stone risk: Long-term overdose (>1000mg/day) will increase the concentration of oxalate in urine.
3.excess iron absorption: Vitamin C promotes the absorption of non-heme iron, which may be detrimental to patients with hemochromatosis.
4.drug interactions: Large doses of vitamin C may reduce the efficacy of anticoagulants and chemotherapy drugs.
5.nutritional imbalance: Long-term high doses may interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12 and copper.
6.dependence rebound: Abrupt discontinuation of high doses may result in "rebound scurvy" (rare).
3. Data analysis of hot topics on the entire network (last 10 days)
| platform | Related topic readings | core points of dispute |
|---|---|---|
| 120 million | Case discussion on "Kidney damage caused by eating vitamin C tablets for whitening" | |
| Douyin | 68 million | “Is it safe to drink vitamin C effervescent tablets every day?” |
| little red book | 32 million | "The effect of high-dose vitamin C therapy on colds" |
| Zhihu | 9.5 million | "The pros and cons of long-term use of 500mg/day vitamin C" |
4. 5 suggestions for scientifically taking vitamin C
1.Prioritize dietary supplements: Half a kiwi (60mg) or 100g strawberries (58mg) can meet 60% of the daily requirement.
2.Segmented intake: A single supplement should not exceed 200mg for the best body absorption rate (about 70%).
3.Attention to special groups: Patients with kidney disease and gout need to strictly control the dosage.
4.Avoid taking it with certain foods: Such as shrimp (may increase the risk of arsenic toxicity).
5.Follow the recipe: Choose supplements that do not contain sugar and sodium, especially for people with high blood pressure/diabetes.
5. Excerpts from authoritative opinions of experts
Professor Yu Kang, director of the Nutrition Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, pointed out: "The general population can fully meet their vitamin C needs through a balanced diet. Supplements are only suitable for confirmed deficiency or special periods (such as postoperative recovery). The total daily dose is recommended to be controlled within 200mg."
Conclusion:Although vitamin C is good, too much is harmful. Only by supplementing properly according to your own situation can you truly protect your health. If you need to take high-dose vitamin C tablets for a long time, you must do so under the guidance of a doctor.
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