Vitamin C in Baby Foods - is it good?

While i was searching for more information on baby foods, I was reminded to share with all on the ingredients on baby foods once again.

Many baby food products may claim to be FREE of preservatives. However it can last for quite some time. 

Have you ever wondered HOW?

It's because Vitamin C has been fortified into the baby food. 

"Ascorbic acid (commonly known as Vitamin C) neutralizes oxygen when it comes into contact with it. 

Oxygen allows foods to continue to ripen, an aging process similar to the one people go through that ends in death. 
Oxygen is also vital for many microorganisms to thrive, some of which cause decay. 

Ascorbic acid slows or neutralizes these events. The substance blocks cured meat’s propensity to form carcinogens called nitrosamines, for example. In the process, the vitamin also preserves the flesh’s red color. In addition, ascorbic acid preserves flavor. "

Do you check the ingredient label of the baby foods?

What's the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C for Children?

The recommended daily intake by the U.S. Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine 

for infants 0-12 months old is the amount of vitamin C in human milk; 

for children 1-3 years old, it is 15 milligrams; 

for children 4-8 years old, it is 25 milligrams; 

for children 9-13 years old, it is 45 milligrams; 

and for adolescents 14-18 years old, it is 75 milligrams for boys and 65 milligrams for girls. 

The tolerable upper intake levels (UL) for vitamin C are 400 milligrams daily for children 1-3 years old; 

650 milligrams daily for children 4-8 years old; 

1,200 milligrams daily for children 9-13 years old; 

1,800 milligrams daily for adolescents and pregnant and lactating females 14-18 years old

Common side-effects of Vitamin C overdoes

• Relatively large doses of vitamin C may cause indigestion, particularly when taken on an empty stomach.

• When taken in large doses, vitamin C causes diarrhea in healthy subjects. 

• In one trial in 1936, doses up to 6 grams of ascorbic acid were given to 29 infants, 93 children of preschool and school age, and 20 adults for more than 1400 days. 

• With the higher doses, toxic manifestations were observed in five adults and four infants. The signs and symptoms in adults were nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, flushing of the face, headache, fatigue and disturbed sleep. 

• The main toxic reactions in the infants were skin rashes.

There is a difference between Man-Made vitamins vs vitamins from wholesome food source. 

The above comes from man-made vitamins therefore side effects can be observed. 

However, when we consume oranges (vitamin C source) than our body require, we will never suffer side effects as stated above. 

Read more on:

• http://healthywholesomefood.blogspot.sg/2014/05/vitamin-pills-may-shorten-lifespan.html
• http://healthywholesomefood.blogspot.sg/2013/08/safety-concerns-on-synthetic-vitamin.html
• http://healthywholesomefood.blogspot.sg/2013/09/the-toxic-truth-about-vitamin.html

Let's all be a wise parent by being a wise consumer. =) 

May all children grow healthily and happily. 

If you wish to learn more about super foods for baby/ children, please contact me via whatsapp or email. I can advise you and share with you related information. 

Thank You. 

Cheers

Joselyne 

+65-90909942

Your Nutritional Immunology Consultant