The need for vitamin C during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnant and breastfeeding women have an increased requirement for vitamin C, which is important both for the development of the fetus and as an antioxidant that protects cells and tissues against damage caused by oxidative stress. There are strong indications that the recommended intake for vitamin C is too low. In addition, pregnant and breastfeeding women who smoke may have an even greater need, according to a population study published in Nutrition Research.

During pregnancy, vitamin C has several different functions, and it is transported via the placenta to the fetus. Among other things, vitamin C is important for iron absorption, the immune system, connective tissue formation, as well as gene transcription and determining which genes are expressed. Furthermore, vitamin C serves as an important antioxidant that protects the placenta and fetus from oxidative stress. This function is crucial, as the placenta has a large blood flow, which leads to greater exposure to free radicals. If there is also a lack of antioxidants such as vitamin C, damage to cells and tissues can occur due to excess free radical exposure.
The mother’s own vitamin C levels decrease during pregnancy in line with the growing fetus’ increasing need for vitamin C. There is also a close relationship between the mother’s declining vitamin C status and the newborn baby’s vitamin C levels, which are often 2-3 times higher than the mother’s vitamin C levels.
During breastfeeding, vitamin C is transported into breast milk in varying concentrations depending on the infant’s development. It is estimated that around 40 mg of vitamin C is transferred daily to the breast milk during the first six months of breastfeeding. Other research has shown that a daily vitamin C intake of 100-120 mg is not sufficient to optimize the concentration of vitamin C in breast milk.
According to the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations, women must consume at least 95 mg of vitamin C daily, while men need 110 mg. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are recommended 105 mg and 155 mg daily, respectively. In the US, pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to get 85 mg and 120 mg daily, which is considerably less.

Widespread vitamin C deficiency during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and among smokers

Good sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, red bell peppers, broccoli, berries, rose hips, and other fruits and vegetables. However, many do not follow the official dietary recommendations. Up to 15 percent of people in high-income countries are believed to lack vitamin C, with deficiency being more common in vulnerable groups.
This also applies to many pregnant and breastfeeding women, who also fail to follow official dietary recommendations. Since they have an increased need for vitamin C to begin with, they are at even greater risk of a chronic deficiency that can harm both their own health and that of the fetus.
The research team behind the new study wanted to investigate this issue more closely, so they collected a range of data from the American NHANES study (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey), which monitors the population’s nutrition and health status over time and includes a variety of blood tests.
The study included 3,730 women aged 18-44 years, of whom 601 were pregnant. A total of 476 of the women had children, and 129 of them were breastfeeding. There was also a large control group of women who were neither pregnant nor breastfeeding.
The study showed that:

• Although vitamin C intake was higher among the pregnant women, 40 percent of them still did not meet the official US recommendation of 85 mg.
• 27 percent of pregnant women had vitamin C deficiency in their blood (below 50 µmol/L)
• Vitamin C deficiency in the blood increased during pregnancy, even though intake from the diet also increased.
• The vitamin C status of pregnant women correlated negatively with weight gain during pregnancy.
• The vitamin C status of pregnant women correlated negatively with smoking.
• More than half of breastfeeding mothers did not get enough vitamin C.
• 40 percent of breastfeeding mothers had vitamin C deficiency in their blood (below 50 µmol/L).

According to the researchers, the study shows that pregnant and breastfeeding women have a higher need for vitamin C, and this need increases during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It also turned out that smoking had the strongest and most negative impact on the vitamin C status in the blood of pregnant and breastfeeding women. This is because smoking exposes the body to cascades of free radicals, which automatically increases the need for neutralizing antioxidants such as vitamin C. In any case, it is recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women stop smoking as their first priority, and at the very least to ensure an adequate intake of vitamin C and other nutrients for the sake of the fetus’ development and their own health.

Reference:

Anitra C. Carr. Vitamin C status of pregnant and lactating women: Negative associations with body weight and current smoking. Nutrition Research 2025