There’s a common myth that consuming seafood and vitamin C together can lead to poisoning, but there’s no scientific evidence to support this claim. This misconception likely stems from an old belief that the combination of seafood and acidic foods (like those containing vitamin C) could cause adverse reactions or food poisoning. However, there’s no direct evidence to suggest that vitamin C interacts negatively with seafood.
In fact, consuming vitamin C-rich foods alongside seafood may even be beneficial. Vitamin C helps with the absorption of non-heme iron, which is the type of iron found in plant-based foods and seafood. So, enjoying a balanced meal that includes both seafood and sources of vitamin C, like citrus fruits or vegetables, can be part of a healthy diet. As always, it’s essential to ensure that seafood is fresh, properly cooked, and sourced from reputable suppliers to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses.
Based on the toxic dose of arsenic compounds, even under conditions of complete reaction, a person would have to consume 500mg of vitamin C and several kilograms of heavily polluted seafood simultaneously to be at risk of poisoning. In fact, eating a little seafood with some fruit is a very healthy way to eat, and there is no need to worry.
