Can Vitamin C Make You Feel Cold? The Surprising Truth

November 16, 2025 •

3 min read

While some people experience cold sensitivity, a vitamin C deficiency is more likely the cause than an excess of it. Understanding this relationship can shed light on how this essential nutrient impacts your body's temperature regulation.

Quick Summary

This article explores the connection between vitamin C and body temperature regulation, explaining why a lack of this nutrient often leads to feeling cold, while dispelling the idea that taking it causes chills. It details vitamin C's role in iron absorption and metabolism.

Key Points

Deficiency, not excess, causes coldness: A lack of vitamin C can cause you to feel cold due to poor iron absorption, not from taking the supplement itself.
Supports iron absorption: Vitamin C significantly improves the body's ability to absorb iron, which is crucial for oxygen transport and maintaining body temperature.
Impacts thermoregulation: By aiding iron absorption, vitamin C indirectly helps regulate body temperature and prevent cold sensitivity linked to anemia.
High doses have different side effects: Taking excessive amounts of vitamin C can lead to gastrointestinal issues and kidney stones, but not a cold sensation.
Rare allergic reactions: In very rare cases, allergies to supplement fillers can occur, but these involve distinct symptoms like hives and swelling, not general coldness.
Consult a professional: If you persistently feel cold, it is best to consult a healthcare provider to check for other potential causes, such as nutrient deficiencies or underlying conditions.

Can Taking Vitamin C Directly Cause a Cold Sensation?

Feeling cold after taking vitamin C is not a known or documented side effect of the supplement itself. This is a common misconception, likely stemming from the fact that vitamin deficiencies, including a deficiency in vitamin C, can cause thermoregulation issues. The feeling of being cold is most often a result of an underlying condition or other nutrient deficiencies, not a consequence of consuming vitamin C. In fact, some research suggests that regular vitamin C intake can improve cold tolerance. Therefore, if you experience coldness after taking the supplement, it is crucial to look for other potential causes rather than attributing it to vitamin C directly.

The Link Between Vitamin C, Iron, and Body Temperature

One of the most significant roles vitamin C plays in preventing cold sensitivity is its impact on iron absorption. Iron is a critical component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen throughout the body. Poor iron absorption leads to iron deficiency anemia, a condition known to cause cold hands and feet due to impaired oxygen circulation.

Mechanism of action: Vitamin C enhances the absorption of nonheme iron, the type found in plant-based foods.
Deficiency symptoms: An inadequate intake of vitamin C can lower the body's iron absorption, increasing the risk of anemia and subsequent cold sensitivity.
Impact on thermoregulation: By improving iron levels, vitamin C indirectly supports the body's ability to generate and maintain warmth, thus contributing positively to thermoregulation.

High Doses and Other Side Effects

While high doses of vitamin C are not known to make you feel cold, they can cause other side effects. The tolerable upper intake level (UL) for adults is 2,000 mg per day. Exceeding this amount can lead to adverse effects, as vitamin C can act as a pro-oxidant at extremely high concentrations.

Common Side Effects of High Vitamin C Intake:

Nausea and diarrhea
Stomach cramps and heartburn
Headaches
Increased risk of kidney stones

It is important to differentiate these known side effects from the unrelated sensation of coldness. If you are taking high doses and feel cold, it is more likely a coincidence or an indication of a different health issue.

What if the Feeling of Coldness is an Allergic Reaction?

In extremely rare cases, a person can have an allergic reaction to vitamin C, though it is often a reaction to additives or fillers in the supplement rather than the ascorbic acid itself. An allergic reaction would present with more typical symptoms such as hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing, rather than just a cold sensation. A cold feeling is not a hallmark symptom of a vitamin C allergy. If you experience severe symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention.

Comparison of Vitamin C Effects


Feature	Effect of Vitamin C Deficiency	Effect of High Vitamin C Intake	Effect of Normal Vitamin C Intake
Body Temperature	May lead to chronic coldness due to poor iron absorption.	No effect on body temperature; side effects are typically gastrointestinal.	Supports normal thermoregulation through improved iron absorption.
Iron Absorption	Significantly reduced, leading to iron deficiency anemia.	Enhanced, which can be harmful for those with iron overload disorders like hemochromatosis.	Facilitates the absorption of nonheme iron.
Gastrointestinal Issues	No direct link to deficiency; other symptoms like fatigue present.	Can cause nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.	Tolerated well by most people when within the recommended daily allowance.
Other Symptoms	Fatigue, weakness, bruising, and anemia-like symptoms.	Headaches, increased risk of kidney stones.	Supports immune function, wound healing, and healthy tissue.

Conclusion

In summary, the notion that vitamin C can make you feel cold is a misconception. On the contrary, a deficit of this essential vitamin is more likely to cause cold sensitivity by hindering iron absorption and contributing to anemia. High doses of vitamin C can cause other side effects like digestive upset, but they are not linked to a cold sensation. If you are experiencing unusual feelings of coldness, it is prudent to consult a healthcare professional to investigate potential underlying causes rather than blaming your vitamin C supplement. Getting a blood test can help determine if you have deficiencies in iron, vitamin C, or other nutrients affecting your body's ability to regulate temperature.

For more detailed information on vitamin C, consult resources from authoritative health institutions, such as the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a vitamin C supplement is not known to cause a sudden drop in body temperature. If you experience a sudden chill, it is likely unrelated to the vitamin and may be a symptom of an underlying health issue.

Vitamin C deficiency can lead to iron deficiency anemia because it impairs the absorption of iron. Anemia reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells, which can cause symptoms like chronic coldness.

While it is extremely rare to be allergic to vitamin C itself, some individuals may have an intolerance or an allergic reaction to fillers or other ingredients in supplement tablets. Symptoms would likely include a rash, hives, or swelling, not just feeling cold.

Yes, taking very high doses of vitamin C, typically over 2,000 mg per day for adults, can cause side effects like nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and headaches.

Deficiencies in several vitamins and minerals can cause cold sensitivity, including iron, vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin C. These nutrients are all involved in energy metabolism and red blood cell production.

The only sure way to know is by consulting a healthcare professional and getting a blood test. They can determine your nutrient levels and identify if a deficiency is the root cause of your cold intolerance.

No, it's the opposite. Vitamin C is known to enhance the absorption of nonheme iron from plant-based foods, improving your iron status. The feeling of being cold is more associated with an insufficient amount of vitamin C.