Ascorbic acid is a very useful and essential vitamin (C) for the body. Its properties are known even to children, it helps in the treatment of colds, improves immunity. However, not everyone thought about what would happen if you eat a lot of ascorbic acid. Vitamin C is found in many products of plant origin, and it can also be bought at any pharmacy in the form of dragees - round yellow tablets.
The action of ascorbic acid in the body
Vitamin C is a substance without which a person cannot live. It not only favorably affects the protective properties of the body, but also takes part in maintaining the antioxidant system. Ascorbic acid exerts this action indirectly, by exposure and activation of vitamin E. It, in turn, is a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from decay (lipid peroxidation). When general weakness and fatigue appear, it is recommended to start using vitamin C, which has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. In addition, ascorbic acid is necessary for iron deficiency anemia, as it helps to better absorb iron.
Where does vitamin C come from?
Ascorbic acid is produced in the body on its own, but this amount is not enough to maintain all its functions. For this reason, vitamin C supplementation from foods is necessary. What happens if you eat a lot of ascorbic acid when eating foods rich in it? Despite the high content of vitamin C, its amount in food is not able to cause an overdose. A lot of ascorbic acid is found in citrus fruits: orange, mandarin and lemon. Greens are another group of foods rich in vitamin C (onion, dill, parsley, salad). It is also present in red pepper, horseradish, rosehip, cabbage, potatoes, sea buckthorn and currants.
What happens if you eat a lot of ascorbic acid?
Despite the need for vitamin C for the body, it should not be abused. A person should consume about 0.5-1 g of ascorbic acid per day. This amount may increase slightly during the treatment of colds or with weakened immunity. But we should not forget that if there is a lot of ascorbic acid, an overdose is possible. If a person who is using vitamin C develops diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping and respiratory failure, these are the first signs that it is necessary to significantly limit its intake. Among the complications caused by an overdose of ascorbic acid, there are: disorders of the respiratory, hematopoietic, digestive systems. The most dangerous diseases that can develop are gastric and duodenal ulcers, metabolic disorders, the appearance of kidney stones and increased thrombosis.
What if the child ate a lot of ascorbic acid?
Children use ascorbic acid in tablets much more often than adults. This is due to the fact that their immunity is weaker, and they are more often exposed to colds. Vitamin C also tastes good. Do not forget that the need for it in a child is lower than in an adult (from 30 to 75 mg), so it is extremely dangerous to abuse pills. What happens if you eat a lot of ascorbic acid? The baby's condition will deteriorate significantly, he will complain of abdominal pain, nausea, loose stools, headache. Complications are the same as in adults, but are more pronounced due to the fact that the body of the child is weaker.
Despite the enormous importance of vitamin C, it should be remembered that it, like other medicinal substances, is dangerous in case of an overdose.