Is it true that drinking vitamin C can trigger stomach acid to rise?

Another name for vitamin C is ascorbic acid, so it may increase your stomach acid which is also acidic. However, is it true that every time you drink or eat that contains vitamin C, it can immediately make stomach acid rise?

What is vitamin C?

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is one of the vitamins needed by the body. The body cannot produce vitamin C on its own, so you must get vitamin C from outside the body, such as from food, drinks, or supplements. You need vitamin C for tissue growth and repair in the body. In addition, vitamin C is also an antioxidant that can protect the body from cell damage caused by free radicals.

Does vitamin C make stomach acid rise?

For people who do not have problems with stomach acid, consuming large amounts of vitamin C may not cause any problems. The body already has its own system that regulates acid balance.

However, it's different for people who have sensitive stomachs or have acid reflux problems. Usually, foods that are high in vitamin C, such as oranges and tomatoes, are often associated with increased stomach acid.

This is also in line with a recommendation by the American College of Gastroenterology that people with acid reflux should avoid certain foods that make their symptoms worse.

What sources of vitamin C should I avoid if I have acid reflux problems?

It should be underlined that not all acidic foods and contain vitamin C directly cause your stomach acid to rise. If you have acid reflux, that doesn't mean you need to avoid all fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin C.

If you feel that your stomach acid has risen after eating foods that contain vitamin C, you probably should avoid these foods. Usually what you should avoid is the ones with the most acidic tastes, such as oranges, lemons, limes, and tomatoes.

Meanwhile, fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin C with low acid content that you can still consume are watermelon, melon, papaya, mango, banana, avocado, paprika, broccoli, kale, and cauliflower. So, there is no reason for those of you who have stomach problems not to be able to meet your vitamin C needs. Many foods contain vitamin C and are low in acid.

Those of you who have stomach problems should also avoid high doses of vitamin C supplements. Large doses of vitamin C in the stomach can make the stomach more acidic and cause it heartburn(heartburn) or other symptoms.

How much vitamin C does the body need?

Compared to the content of vitamin C in supplements, the body actually only needs vitamin C in small amounts. According to the 2013 Adequacy Rate (RDA), adult women only need 75 mg of vitamin C and adult men need 90 mg of vitamin C. Compare that with the content of vitamin C in supplements which are usually more than 1000 mg.

In fact, the excess intake of vitamin C will later be removed by the body. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that will be excreted by the body in excess and cannot be stored in the body. So, you need to meet the needs of this vitamin C every day. For those of you who have stomach problems, you can get vitamin C from foods that contain low acid.