Side effects of vitamin C effervescent tablets

Vitamin C effervescent tablets are a product that supplements vitamin C for the body on a daily basis. Many friends buy vitamin C effervescent tablets because of unhealthy diet. But did you know that regular consumption of vitamin C effervescent tablets has side effects? After all, the nutrients in vitamin C effervescent tablets are extracted and may not necessarily meet the needs of our body. So, what are the side effects of vitamin C effervescent tablets?

Side effects of vitamin C effervescent tablets

[Side effects of vitamin C effervescent tablets themselves]

Most vitamin C effervescent tablets contain high levels of sodium. A careful study of the formula of effervescent tablets will reveal that effervescent tablets are made of solid organic acids, sodium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). These substances quickly dissolve in water to produce a large amount of carbon dioxide. Due to their rapid reaction, the tablets can roll up and down in the water, causing the solid vitamin C or other ingredients they carry to be fully dissolved in the water, which is what is referred to as "easy to absorb" in various publicity. Since the carbon dioxide produced is partially dissolved in water, it tastes like soda when you drink it.

Since effervescent tablets need to achieve the effect of effervescent disintegration, a large amount of sodium bicarbonate or sodium carbonate is often added. If these ingredients are not used, the "effervescent" effect that everyone finds so interesting cannot be achieved, so the extremely high sodium content of the entire product cannot be avoided. After the effervescent tablet is dissolved in water, it will turn into potassium ions and be drunk into the body. However, like sodium ions, excessive intake of potassium ions is not recommended.

Excessive potassium can cause extreme neuromuscular fatigue and weakness, limb weakness, heaviness of the lower limbs, and cardiovascular system symptoms such as slow heart rate and weakened heart sounds. Too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure, edema and calcium deficiency. Therefore, when purchasing vitamin C effervescent tablets, you should pay more attention to the potassium and sodium content.

[Side effects of excessive intake of vitamin C effervescent tablets]

Diarrhea: Taking 1 to 4 grams of vitamin C daily can accelerate small intestinal motility and cause symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. It may also cause side effects such as polyuria, diarrhea, and skin rash.

Gastric bleeding: Long-term and large amounts of oral vitamin C can cause nausea, vomiting, etc. At the same time, due to increased gastric acid secretion, the pain of gastric and duodenal ulcers can be aggravated. In severe cases, it can also cause congestion and edema of the gastric mucosa, leading to gastric bleeding.

Anemia: Long-term and excessive use of vitamin C can reduce the intestinal absorption of vitamin B12, causing megaloblastic anemia to worsen. If the patient is congenitally deficient in 6-phosphate glucose dehydrogenase, using more than 5 grams of vitamin C per day will cause red blood cells to rupture, hemolysis will occur, and anemia will occur, which can be life-threatening in severe cases.

Gout: Gout is a disease caused by a disorder in purine metabolism in the body. It is mainly manifested by excessively high uric acid concentration in the blood, which causes a series of symptoms in the joints, connective tissues, and kidneys. Taking large amounts of vitamin C can cause a sharp increase in uric acid and induce gout.

Indigestion in infants: Infants who take large amounts of vitamin C during breastfeeding may experience symptoms such as restlessness, insomnia, and indigestion.

Infertility: Long-term and large-scale use of vitamins by women of childbearing age (such as daily doses greater than 2 grams) will reduce their fertility.

Urinary tract stones: Excessive vitamin C will increase the amount of oxalic acid, a metabolite of vitamin C, and thus cause urinary tract stones.

Destroy lymphocytes: Excessive vitamin C can destroy lymphocytes, hinder the phagocytic function of white blood cells, and affect the body's immune system.

Teeth become brittle: Vitamin C effervescent tablets contain acidic ingredients and can cause certain damage to teeth, and the same goes for vitamin lozenges.