Vitamin C is a really important vitamin that helps keep your body healthy. You probably hear about it when people talk about preventing colds or keeping your immune system strong. But what happens if you don’t get enough Vitamin C? A lack of this vitamin can cause some surprising problems in your body. Read on to learn seven signs that might mean you’re not getting enough Vitamin C. Pay attention to these symptoms—your body might be trying to tell you something.

Your Gums Bleed Easily or Are Swollen

Do your gums bleed easily when you brush your teeth? Or are they swollen and sore? This could be a sign that you’re not getting enough Vitamin C. Vitamin C is really important for keeping your blood vessels healthy, including the small ones in your gums. Without enough Vitamin C, your gums can become weak and start to bleed.

Multiple research investigations explains that Vitamin C helps make collagen, which is a protein that helps your body repair tissues. Therefore, if your gums are unhealthy, it might mean you need to eat more Vitamin C-rich foods like oranges, strawberries, or bell peppers.

You Bruise Very Easily, Even From Small Bumps

Do you get bruises even if you don’t remember bumping into anything? This could be a sign of Vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C helps make your blood vessels and skin stronger. If you don’t get enough, your blood vessels can become weak, making it easier to bruise.

According to Cleveland Clinic, when you don’t have enough Vitamin C, it’s harder for your body to repair blood vessels. To help with this, you can try eating more foods with Vitamin C like citrus fruits, tomatoes, or broccoli.

You Feel Tired All the Time, Even With Enough Sleep

Feeling tired all the time, even if you’re sleeping enough, can be a sign of Vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron, which is really important for your energy levels. If you’re low on Vitamin C, you might not be absorbing enough iron, which can make you feel constantly tired.

Experts say that this type of tiredness isn’t just about feeling sleepy after a long day. It’s more like a deep exhaustion that makes it hard to get through your daily activities. Try adding some berries or kiwi to your breakfast to get more Vitamin C.

Your Skin Feels Rough or Looks Dry

Is your skin feeling rough or looking extra dry, even though you’re using lotion? It might not be your skin-care routine; it could be that you’re not getting enough Vitamin C. The Mayo Clinic says that Vitamin C is really important for keeping your skin healthy because it helps make collagen.

Collagen keeps your skin looking soft and hydrated. Without enough Vitamin C, your body makes less collagen, which can lead to dry skin, rough patches, or even wrinkles. Eating more Vitamin C-rich veggies like bell peppers or leafy greens can help keep your skin healthy.

Your Wounds Take a Long Time to Heal

If you scrape your knee or get a cut, you expect it to heal in a few days. But if it’s taking much longer than usual, it could mean you’re not getting enough Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps with healing because it supports tissue repair and helps make collagen.

A study published in 2022 found that people with Vitamin C deficiency often took longer to heal their wounds. Try eating more foods like citrus fruits or cauliflower to boost your Vitamin C levels and help wounds heal faster.

Your Joints Hurt or Feel Swollen

Do your joints feel sore or swollen? This could also be a sign of Vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C helps reduce inflammation, so if you don’t have enough of it, your joints might start to hurt. Joints are full of collagen-rich tissues, and a lack of Vitamin C can break these tissues down, causing discomfort.

According to health experts, getting enough Vitamin C is important for keeping your joints healthy. Adding more strawberries or bell peppers to your meals might help ease the pain.

You Get Sick a Lot, Even When Others Don’t

Vitamin C is really important for your immune system. It helps your body fight off infections, which is why people often take Vitamin C when they start to feel sick. If you find yourself getting colds, the flu, or other infections all the time, it could be because you’re not getting enough Vitamin C.

The Mayo Clinic recommends making sure you get enough Vitamin C every day to keep your immune system strong. If you’re always getting sick, try eating more fresh fruits and vegetables like oranges, lemons, or grapefruit.

How to Get More Vitamin C

If these symptoms sound familiar, it might be time to take a closer look at what you’re eating. The good news is that Vitamin C is found in lots of tasty fruits and vegetables. Here are some easy ways to get more Vitamin C in your diet:

Citrus Fruits: Oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are great sources of Vitamin C.
Berries: Strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are not only yummy but also packed with Vitamin C.
Bell Peppers: Red, yellow, or green bell peppers have lots of Vitamin C and can make your meals colorful.
Kiwi: This little fruit has a lot of Vitamin C and is a great way to boost your intake.
Leafy Greens: Kale, spinach, and Swiss chard have good amounts of Vitamin C and also give you other health benefits.
Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes, tomato juice, or even tomato sauce can provide extra Vitamin C.

Final Thoughts

Vitamin C is really important, and not getting enough of it can cause problems like bleeding gums, tiredness, dry skin, and more. The good news is that fixing a Vitamin C deficiency is usually as simple as changing your diet. If you think you’re not getting enough Vitamin C, talk to your doctor. They can help you figure out if you need more Vitamin C-rich foods or maybe even a supplement.