February 7, 2023

Vitamin C for Runners

Are you curious about the importance of Vitamin C for runners? Do runners need more Vitamin C? This post will break down what Vitamin C is, how it helps runners, and how much you should be getting.

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Disclaimer: While we are Registered Dietitians, we are not your medical provider and this information should be used for informational purposes only. Consult with your personal provider for specific information applicable to your health and health history.

In This Article hide

I What is Vitamin C

I.I Daily Recommendations for Vitamin C

II Vitamin C for Runners

II.I Roles of Vitamin C for Running

II.II Do Athletes Need More Vitamin C?

III Food Sources Of Vitamin C

IV Vitamin C Supplements

V Conclusion

What is Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential water-soluble vitamin that is important for runners. It plays many roles, such as supporting a strong immune system, reducing inflammation, and promoting the growth of tissues as well as wound healing.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that also helps with iron absorption.

Adequate intake of Vitamin C can be achieved through a balanced diet of many fruits and vegetables, including citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, bell peppers, broccoli, and leafy greens.

Daily Recommendations for Vitamin C

Vitamin C is required for the synthesis of collagen (more on collagen for runners), L-carnitine and some neurotransmitters.

Because Vitamin C is an antioxidant, it can also help with the reduction of oxidative stress in the body by limiting the damaging effects of free radicals.

For adults 19 years and over, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is 75 mg and 90mg, for females and males, respectively.

For females, the needs increase to 85 mg during pregnancy and 120 mg during breastfeeding.

male and female talking and running on a trail

Vitamin C for Runners

When considering Vitamin C for runners, how much is enough, and should runners, especially those who are in intense training, be getting more?

Though we need micronutrients, like Vitamin C and magnesium for runners, in smaller amounts, they are still necessary for optimal functioning and performance.

Roles of Vitamin C for Running

Vitamin C is a helper for many systems that are involved in running.

Iron absorption – Vitamin C enhances the absorption of iron, which is an important micronutrient for oxygen transport (More on iron for runners here).
Immunity – A study in ultrarunners found that Vitamin C supplementation enhanced resistance to post-race upper respiratory tract infections. Increasing vitamin C consumption or using a vitamin C supplement at the first sign of a cold may help reduce the duration and severity of the symptoms in some individuals, though the Vitamin doesn’t prevent illness.
Wound Healing – Vitamin C works with collagen to strengthen skin and joints, and can aid in wound management.
Counteract oxidative stress from training – Vitamin C has been shown to have mixed effects on systemic markers of exercise-induced oxidative stress and on post-exercise muscle recovery.

Do Athletes Need More Vitamin C?

While Vitamin C definitely plays an important role in the body, more is not always better.

In fact, many people are likely getting enough in the diet. Eating 1/2 cup of red pepper or drinking a cup of orange juice will get you just over your daily recommendations.

As long as you’re eating a variety of fruits and vegetables daily, you’re likely getting between 100-200 mg of Vitamin C, which is more than adequate.

white male runner and black female runner stretching

Runners who are in an intense season of training (or under extreme stress) may benefit from additional Vitamin C, but that doesn’t translate to huge amounts more.

Furthermore, since it is a water-soluble vitamin, having extra amounts will be excreted in the urine.

In fact, taking excess Vitamin C or other antioxidants in supplement form may even act as pro-oxidants, especially if it’s not needed.
Mason SA, et al. Antioxidant supplements and endurance exercise: Current evidence and mechanistic insights. Redox Biol. 2020 Aug;35:101471.

Both acute and chronic vitamin C supplementation have been shown to have mixed effects on systemic markers of exercise-related oxidative stress.

In studies with healthy individuals, researchers found no effect of vitamin C supplementation on resting skeletal muscle antioxidant enzyme levels, though they were not engaging in exercise.

In animal studies, vitamin C supplementation was shown to hamper exercise-induced antioxidant enzyme gene expression and mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle.

In other words, supplementation prevented the body’s natural antioxidant system from working.

Food Sources Of Vitamin C

You can get Vitamin C through foods in the diet or through a supplement. Most people are not deficient in Vitamin C since it is widely available, though those who aren’t eating adequate fruits and vegetables may not be getting enough.

Vitamin C is decreased through heat, so know that if you are cooking some of these foods, the amount will be decreased.

Here are some top foods high in Vitamin C:

red peppers
oranges and orange juice
kiwifruit
grapefruit juice
broccoli
strawberries
brussels sprouts
tomato juice
cantaloupe

Runners should also consider dried fruits, like apricots and mango. As an easy carb source, they can be used in any DIY trail mix or enjoyed before, during or after a run.

Some conditions that may warrant higher Vitamin C levels include smoking, those healing from wounds, children and those without a variable diet or not eating fruits and vegetables and people with malabsorption.

Vitamin C Supplements

Runners may also consider taking a Vitamin C supplement, however, it is important to talk to a doctor first to determine the right amount for their individual needs.

Most Vitamin C supplements will contain Vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid. Generally, the bioavailability of ascorbic acid is similar to that of food, meaning they will be absorbed just as well.

While the idea is that more antioxidants (supplements) help to further minimize oxidative stress to enhance recovery and performance, this is not proven by the research.

While getting adequate Vitamin C is important, there is no convincing evidence of improved performance benefits from additional Vitamin C over that amount.

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Conclusion

In short, focus on getting adequate Vitamin C from your diet by including a variety of fruits and vegetables. Eat a varied diet based on the performance plates for runners.

If you are in intense training (like fueling for a marathon and improving recovery), your needs will be higher, as they will be for most other nutrients, as well.

However, large bolus amounts through supplements generally are not necessary.

Blog

Vitamin C for Runners

What is Vitamin C

Daily Recommendations for Vitamin C

Vitamin C for Runners

Roles of Vitamin C for Running

Do Athletes Need More Vitamin C?

Food Sources Of Vitamin C

Vitamin C Supplements

Conclusion

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