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Are the UK's vitamin C recommendations evidence-based? A critical comment
Harri Hemilä1, Elizabeth Chalker2
1Department of Public Health, University of Helsinkihttps://ror.org/040af2s02, POB 20, FI-00014Helsinki, Finland.
The British Journal of Nutrition
|December 22, 2025
Summary
The UK's recommended daily vitamin C intake of 40 mg may be insufficient for optimal health, as studies show benefits from higher doses. Re-evaluating vitamin C recommendations is crucial for public health.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- International recommendations for vitamin C intake vary significantly.
- The UK's 1991 recommendation of 40 mg/day for adults is based on outdated research focusing solely on scurvy prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To argue that the UK's vitamin C recommendation overlooks critical evidence.
- To highlight that higher vitamin C intakes may be necessary for full health beyond scurvy prevention.
Main Methods:
- Review of controlled trials published before 1991.
- Analysis of evidence on vitamin C's role in preventing cardiac dysfunction and respiratory infections.
Main Results:
- Multiple pre-1991 trials indicated benefits of vitamin C supplementation at baseline intakes of 40 mg/day or higher.
- Evidence suggests vitamin C deficiency impacts cardiac function and infection morbidity, not just skin health.
Conclusions:
- The UK's current vitamin C recommendation should be re-evaluated.
- Broader clinical outcomes and controlled trial data support higher vitamin C intake levels.
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