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European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), “Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to vitamin C and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage (ID 129, 138, 143, 148), antioxidant function of lutein (ID 146), maintenance of vision (ID 141, 142), collagen formation (ID 130, 131, 136, 137, 149), function of the nervous system (ID 133), function of the immune system (ID 134), function of the immune system during and after extreme physical exercise (ID 144), non-haem iron absorption (ID 132, 147), energy-yielding metabolism (ID 135), and relief in case of irritation in the upper respiratory tract (ID 1714, 1715) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/20061”, EFSA Journal, 7(9). 2009.

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Article

Reevaluating Vitamin C in Human Nutrition: Dietary Reference Intakes, Food Sources, and Supplementation Practices

1Department of Nutrition and Metabolic Disorders, Faculty of Medicine, Instituto Metropolitano de Ensino (IME), Manaus, Brazil


Journal of Food and Nutrition Research. 2025, Vol. 13 No. 7, 266-275
DOI: 10.12691/jfnr-13-7-5
Copyright © 2025 Science and Education Publishing

Cite this paper:
Moacir C. Andrade Jr. Reevaluating Vitamin C in Human Nutrition: Dietary Reference Intakes, Food Sources, and Supplementation Practices. Journal of Food and Nutrition Research. 2025; 13(7):266-275. doi: 10.12691/jfnr-13-7-5.

Correspondence to: Moacir  C. Andrade Jr, Department of Nutrition and Metabolic Disorders, Faculty of Medicine, Instituto Metropolitano de Ensino (IME), Manaus, Brazil. Email: moacircoutjr@gmail.com

Abstract

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is an essential micronutrient that cannot be synthesized or stored by the human body, necessitating regular dietary intake to prevent deficiency-related conditions such as scurvy, which can be life-threatening. This review examines the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with vitamin C deficiency and evaluates current dietary reference intakes (DRIs), major dietary sources, and the role of supplementation in meeting physiological requirements. It also explores the physicochemical and molecular properties of vitamin C that affect its bioavailability, stability, and biological functions.

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