Vitamin C intake reference values for Germany, Austria, Switzerland
What it found
New recommended daily vitamin C intakes were set for men, women, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and smokers.
The values are based on how much vitamin C the body loses each day and how much is absorbed.
What they found
Studies in people and animals
No preventive effect from supplements
The authors say that in the general public, vitamin C supplements are not expected to prevent chronic diseases like cancer or heart disease. They also note that routine high-dose supplements do not reduce common colds in the general public, though they may help people under extreme physical strain or in very cold environments.
Other findings
Recommended intake for adults
The recommended daily intake is 110 mg for men and 95 mg for women. These values aim to keep blood levels at or above 50 µmol/l.
Smokers need more
Smokers lose vitamin C faster, with turnover 40% higher than non-smokers. The recommended intake is 155 mg/day for male smokers and 135 mg/day for female smokers.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pregnant women from the fourth month on are advised 105 mg/day, and breastfeeding women 125 mg/day. These higher amounts cover the vitamin C passed to the baby.
Children and teens
Recommended intakes rise with age, from 20 mg/day for 1 to under 4 year olds to 85 mg/day for 13 to under 15 year olds. Adolescents aged 15 to under 19 are advised 105 mg/day for boys and 90 mg/day for girls.
Infants
For infants in their first year, the estimated value is 20 mg/day. This is based on the lowest observed intake in the UK and US that meets requirements, and is three times the amount needed to prevent scurvy (7 mg/day).
What the authors conclude
- They conclude that a sufficient vitamin C supply can be achieved by eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits.
- They state that fortified foods and nutritional supplements are not necessary to ensure a sufficient vitamin C supply.
- They advise that routine high-dose vitamin C prophylaxis is not justified for the general public, but may be justified for persons under extreme physical strain or in a very cold environment.
How it was done
The German, Austrian, and Swiss nutrition societies revised their reference values for vitamin C intake, following earlier updates for vitamin D, calcium, and folate.
The authors reviewed existing studies on vitamin C absorption, losses, and blood levels to calculate how much healthy people need each day. They used data from non-smoking men and extrapolated values for women, children, and other groups based on body weight.
What it can’t tell you
- This paper sets recommended intake values based on existing data and calculations, not on a new clinical trial. It cannot show what effect these specific intake levels have on long-term health outcomes.
- The authors note that for many health conditions, the available studies are inconsistent or too few to draw conclusions about vitamin C's role.
The paper
- Title
- New Reference Values for Vitamin C Intake
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- German Nutrition Society (DGE) (2015). New Reference Values for Vitamin C Intake. Annals of nutrition & metabolism. doi:10.1159/000434757Free full textPubMed 26227083DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error