Vitamin C has a reputation for disrupting the sleep process. But is this really the case? We tell you more.
Why do we say that vitamin C prevents us from sleeping?
The idea that vitamin C interferes with sleep comes from a well-known warning phrase on supplement boxes: "It is best not to take this medicine late in the day because of its mild stimulant effect."
This mention appeared in 1934 on boxes of vitamin C distributed by the Roche laboratory. The link made by the Swiss laboratory comes from the contribution of ascorbic acid in the synthesis of dopamine, a molecule acting on the state of excitement and brain stimulation. But this mention has never been questioned.
In reality, it appears that a very high dose of vitamin C would slightly increase the stimulating effects of dopamine without significantly impacting sleep balance. Therefore, daily consumption of the doses recommended by ANSES has no impact on good sleep quality.
American studies on the impact of vitamin C on the sleep cycle tend to confirm that there is no obvious correlation between the consumption of ascorbic acid and the user's ability to fall asleep. Indeed, MRI tests do not reveal any difference in the brain activity of the patient who has or has not consumed ascorbic acid before falling asleep.
In short, a preconceived idea
Although the belief is quite widespread, most studies tend to confirm that vitamin C has no harmful impact on sleep. There is therefore no contraindication to consuming vitamin C in the evening!
