What are the risks and benefits of using vitamin C for depression and anxiety?
“In adults, emerging evidence suggestion of A review in the journal PLOS One states that higher daily intake of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables is associated with lower incidences of anxiety, greater happiness, higher life satisfaction and greater social-emotional well-being. Nutrients. so, “agreed “Having people consume more fruits and vegetables may not only benefit their physical health in the long term, but may also benefit their mental health in the short term,” one study concluded. Social Sciences and Medicine. For example, consumption of fruits, Is A protective association with heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer as well as major killers such as depression. The question is why?
Several mechanisms have been proposed. For example, one believes it is the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the produce that eliminate free radicals involved in some of the inflammation associated with depression. If so, what about simply taking vitamin C supplements? brain Is Vitamin C levels are highest in the body, so it is believed that if additional vitamin C is consumed, it may have some type of therapeutic role in brain diseases, especially considering that Is Not only an antioxidant, but also has other important functions in the brain, such as helping to create neurotransmitters like dopamine. But you don’t know whether it really helps or not until you test it.
a study found Beneficial effect of adding vitamin C as adjunctive treatment to antidepressants, according to another study found No benefit from vitamin C supplementation.
so there Are Mixed results for vitamin C and depression. another study found There was no benefit when it came to depression, but those who took vitamin C instead of placebo pills saw a significant reduction in anxiety levels. And this was not seen only in that study.
The effects of oral vitamin C supplementation on anxiety in high school students were Study In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The teenagers were given 500 mg of vitamin C or a placebo daily. The daily amount of vitamin C is about the same amount you would find in five oranges, four yellow kiwi fruits or guavas, or one and a half yellow bell peppers. Within just two weeks, vitamin C reduced anxiety levels compared to placebo, along with a significant drop in heart rate.
Looking at these figures show Vitamin C may have anxiety-reducing effects, with researchers trying to find out if a single dose of it could seriously affect emotional state. And in fact, within just two hours of taking some vitamin C, study participants experienced a significant drop in anxiety compared to placebo, though only among those who had the most anxiety to begin with, as you can see below and at 2:42 in my video. Do Vitamin C Supplements Help Deal with Anxiety?.
As a bonus, vitamin C supplementation may be lower a few points in our blood pressure, but whole fruits and vegetables can to do The same thing—and can even make it better for those who need it most, as shown below and at 2:53 in my Video.

As I have shown earlier, simply Add Just two servings of fruits and vegetables a day can have psychological well-being benefits in just two weeks — and without the risk of kidney stones. Connected With vitamin C supplements, however, this only seems to be a problem in men.
doctor’s note
For more information on vitamin C and anxiety, see related posts below.
