Researchers looked at data from nearly 2,400 American women to understand how vitamin C in their diet might affect their ability to have children. They found that women who ate more vitamin C-rich foods had a lower chance of infertility problems. Interestingly, the study suggests that vitamin C might work partly by helping reduce depression and maintaining a healthy weight—both of which can affect fertility. While these results are promising, scientists say more research is needed to fully understand how vitamin C, mood, and body weight all work together to influence a woman’s fertility.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether eating more vitamin C (from foods like oranges, strawberries, and peppers) is connected to women’s ability to get pregnant
  • Who participated: 2,381 American women between ages 18 and 44 who answered health and nutrition questions as part of a national health survey
  • Key finding: Women who ate the most vitamin C had about 40% lower chances of infertility compared to women who ate the least. The best results appeared in younger women (ages 18-34) who got around 133 mg of vitamin C daily.
  • What it means for you: If you’re trying to get pregnant, eating more vitamin C-rich foods might help, but this study doesn’t prove it will work for everyone. It’s one piece of the puzzle, and you should talk to your doctor about your fertility concerns.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers looked at information collected at one point in time from a large group of women. They used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which is a government program that tracks the health and eating habits of Americans. The researchers compared women who ate different amounts of vitamin C and looked at whether they had experienced infertility problems.

The study included women aged 18 to 44 and examined their vitamin C intake from food sources. Researchers also measured their depression scores and body weight to see if these factors played a role in the vitamin C and fertility connection. They used statistical methods to find patterns and connections in the data.

This approach is useful because it looks at real-world data from thousands of people rather than just a small group in a lab. However, because it’s a snapshot in time, it can show connections but not prove that vitamin C directly causes better fertility. Understanding these connections helps scientists design better studies and gives doctors information to share with patients.

This study used data from a well-respected national health survey, which is a strength. However, the study only shows connections between vitamin C and fertility—it doesn’t prove vitamin C causes better fertility. The researchers relied on people’s memories of what they ate, which can be inaccurate. Additionally, many other factors affect fertility that weren’t measured in this study.

What the Results Show

Women who ate the most vitamin C had a 39.4% lower chance of infertility compared to women who ate the least. This means if infertility affected 10 women in the low vitamin C group, it would affect about 6 women in the high vitamin C group.

The benefit was strongest in younger women (ages 18-34). In this age group, the relationship between vitamin C and fertility wasn’t straightforward—there was a sweet spot around 133 mg of vitamin C per day where fertility benefits were greatest.

The study found that vitamin C might help fertility in two ways: by reducing depression (which accounted for about 5% of the effect) and by helping maintain a healthy weight (which accounted for about 8% of the effect). This suggests that vitamin C’s benefits might work partly through improving mood and weight management.

The protective effect of vitamin C appeared to be strongest in women with the highest vitamin C intake. The study also found that the relationship between vitamin C and infertility wasn’t simple—more wasn’t always better. Instead, there seemed to be an optimal amount of vitamin C intake that provided the most benefit.

Previous research has suggested that antioxidants like vitamin C might help with fertility, but the evidence hasn’t been clear. This study adds to that evidence by showing a specific connection in a large American population. However, other studies on antioxidants and fertility have had mixed results, so this finding is one piece of a larger puzzle.

This study has several important limitations. First, it only shows that vitamin C and fertility are connected—it doesn’t prove that vitamin C causes better fertility. Second, the study relied on women remembering what they ate, which can be inaccurate. Third, the study only included data from one point in time, so we don’t know if the same patterns hold true over years. Fourth, many other factors affect fertility (like age, hormones, and medical conditions) that weren’t fully measured. Finally, the study was observational, meaning some women may have eaten more vitamin C because they were already trying to improve their health in other ways.

The Bottom Line

If you’re trying to get pregnant, eating more vitamin C-rich foods (like citrus fruits, berries, peppers, and broccoli) is a safe, healthy choice that may help. However, this study alone isn’t strong enough to say vitamin C will solve infertility problems. Talk to your doctor about your fertility concerns and get a complete evaluation. Vitamin C should be part of an overall healthy lifestyle that includes managing stress, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting regular medical care. (Moderate confidence level—this is one study showing a connection, not definitive proof.)

Women trying to get pregnant, especially those aged 18-34, might benefit from paying attention to their vitamin C intake. Women with depression or weight concerns might find that improving vitamin C intake helps with overall health. However, if you have serious infertility concerns, you should see a fertility specialist rather than relying only on dietary changes.

If vitamin C helps fertility through mood and weight, you might see benefits within weeks to months as these factors improve. However, fertility itself can take months to years to improve, and results vary greatly from person to person.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily vitamin C intake (in mg) alongside mood scores and weight. Aim for around 130-150 mg daily and note any changes in energy, mood, or health markers over 3-6 months.
  • Add one vitamin C-rich food to each meal: orange juice at breakfast, bell peppers at lunch, and strawberries as a snack. Use the app to log these foods and watch your daily vitamin C total reach the recommended amount.
  • Create a weekly dashboard showing: (1) average daily vitamin C intake, (2) mood score trend, (3) weight trend, and (4) overall wellness rating. Review monthly to see if improvements in mood and weight correlate with your vitamin C intake patterns.

This study shows a connection between vitamin C intake and fertility but does not prove that vitamin C causes improved fertility. Infertility is complex and has many causes. If you’re having trouble getting pregnant, please consult with a qualified healthcare provider or fertility specialist for proper evaluation and treatment. Do not use this information as a substitute for professional medical advice. While increasing vitamin C intake is generally safe and healthy, individual needs vary, and some people may have specific dietary restrictions. Always discuss dietary changes with your healthcare provider, especially if you’re taking medications or have existing health conditions.