What is the best food to treat scurvy? Scurvy is a deficiency disease caused by a shortage or lack of vitamin C, which is essential for the synthesis of collagen (a component of normal tissues) in humans.
Ascorbic acid is the chemical name for vitamin C, which is derived from the Latin name for scurvy, scorbutus.
Vitamin C is mostly found in fresh fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits like oranges, olives, lemons, and sweet lemons.
Scurvy is caused by a decrease in the consumption of vitamin C-rich foods.
History Of scurvy
Scurvy has historically primarily plagued states that rely heavily on military might. During military wars and long ocean trips, ship crewmembers’ diets were deficient in fresh fruits and vegetables, resulting in vitamin C deficiency and the spread of scurvy epidemics.
The first hint to the treatment of scurvy came during Jacques Cartier’s arrival in Newfoundland in 1536 when the native Indians instructed him to provide a potion prepared from spruce tree needles to his crewmembers who were dying from the disease. The vitamin C-rich foliage cured the majority of Cartier’s crew.
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What are the symptoms of scurvy?
– Fatigue
– Bad breath
– Corkscrew hairs
– Muscle weakness
– Loosening teeth
– Joint and muscles aches and swelling
– Red swollen gums, inflammation, bleeding gums
Who is more at risk of contracting Scurvy?
Scurvy is common in people who eat a severely restricted diet, particularly one deficient in ascorbic acid, are under extreme physiological stress, or are habitual alcoholics.
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Infants can get scurvy if they are denied their mother’s milk and put on top-up milk without adequate Vitamin C supplementation.
Infantile scurvy can develop in babies born to moms who took extraordinarily high amounts of vitamin C during pregnancy.
What Are The Best Foods To Treat Scurvy?
Indian Gooseberry
Because it is high in Vitamin C, Indian gooseberry is one of the most powerful and helpful remedies.
The powder is a dry Indian gooseberry with an equal amount of sugar. Every day, take 1 teaspoon of this powder with milk.
Lime and lemon
Lemons and limes are excellent remedies for a variety of ailments, including scurvy. They have the amazing ability to both prevent and heal scurvy.
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They are high in Vitamin C and are regarded as a food with remarkable medicinal properties.
Squeeze a lime or lemon and combine the juice with a spoonful of honey and water. Drink this juice 2-3 times per day until the scurvy is gone.
Aamchur
Aamchur is another effective treatment for this illness. Aamchur is made from skinned green mango mangoes.
These fruits are stoned, cut into bits, sun-dried, and powdered. Take 15 gm of Aamchur every day to feel rapid relief. They are just as healthy as limes and lemons since they are high in Vitamin C.
Potato
Potato, a common vegetable, is an excellent scurvy therapy. Potatoes contain up to 17 milligrams of Vitamin C per 100 milligrams.
White lilac flowers
White lilac blossoms are an extremely effective cure. Add 1 liter of boiled and hot water to a handful of white lilac flowers. 15 minutes with the lid on.
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Drink 2-3 glasses of filtered beverages per day. Repeat the therapy three times in a row.
Mint tea
Mint tea is another effective treatment. Take a few mint leaves and boil them in 200 mL of water.
Try not to add any sugar or honey to your tea. You should consume 3-4 glasses of water per day. Continue this therapy for another 2-3 days.
Mango powder
Another well-known treatment for this condition is mango powder. You can use raw mango powder or add it to your cookery.
Oranges, cabbages, broccoli, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and green peppers are all beneficial if consumed in moderation.
Fresh Fruits Contain Vitamin C
Vitamin C is found in fresh fruits. Citrus fruits, for example, are abundant in vitamin C. As a result, a diet high in oranges, lemons, and grapefruits is highly suggested for scurvy treatment.
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Watermelons and cantaloupes are also beneficial in the treatment of scurvy. Vitamin C is also abundant in vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, broccoli, green peppers, and tomatoes.
As a result, people suffering from scurvy must consume all of these items on a regular basis.
Remember that heat destroys vitamin C, so eat these items raw or fermented for the best results:
– Berries
– Raw milk
– Cantaloupe
– Broccoli
– Cauliflower
– Spinach
– Potatoes
– Tomatoes
– Citrus fruits: oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits
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Recommended Vitamin C intake:
Scurvy is uncommon in areas where fresh fruits and vegetables are consumed in greater amounts.
They include Vitamin C, which functions as an antioxidant, promoting the growth of connective tissues, lipid and vitamin metabolism, immunological function, and wound healing.
Currently, the RDA for vitamin C is:
– For adults: 50-60 mg/day;
– For infants: 35 mg/day;
– For pregnant women: 100 mg/day;
– Lactating mothers: 150 mg/day
However, the need for vitamin C increases when a person is stressed, smoking, or taking medication.
Although uncommon, scurvy is still a serious condition that affects the pediatric population, particularly in certain groups with atypical feeding habits.
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A heightened awareness of vitamin C-rich foods is essential to prevent a potentially fatal but easily treatable condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few FAQs I get asked concerning (or related to) what are the best foods to treat scurvy.
How can I prevent scurvy?
Vitamin C is essential for preventing scurvy and should be obtained from fresh fruits and vegetables.
Are citrus fruits good for scurvy?
Citrus fruits, such as oranges, limes, and lemons, have traditionally been used to prevent and treat scurvy.
However, several other fruits and vegetables contain higher doses of vitamin C than citrus fruits, and many prepared foods, such as juices and cereals, contain added vitamin C.
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What foods should I avoid if I have scurvy?
There are no specific foods that a person with scurvy should avoid. A doctor or nutritionist can give specific dietary recommendations to help a person improve vitamin C levels and lessen symptoms.
Most people in the United States do not have a vitamin C deficiency, generally known as scurvy.
Does vitamin C help scurvy?
Vitamin C is required by the human body to manufacture collagen, repair wounds, boost your immune system, and aid in a variety of other internal activities.
Scurvy symptoms usually appear after at least three months of extremely low vitamin C levels.
What foods can cure scurvy?
Citrus fruits, such as oranges, limes, and lemons.
What fruit cured scurvy?
Citrus fruits
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What is the most effective treatment for scurvy?
Taking more vitamin C
Does pineapple cure scurvy?
Pineapples include antioxidant components and astringent characteristics that aid to tighten gum tissue and protect against oral cancer.
According to some sources, sailors resorted to pineapple for Vitamin C to save them from contracting scurvy on long journeys, which can sometimes result in gum disease.
Can eating oranges cure scurvy?
A diet is strong in uncooked vitamin C-rich foods such as amla, bell peppers, blackcurrants, broccoli, chili peppers, guava, kiwifruit, and parsley can help prevent scurvy. Fruits high in vitamin C include lemons, limes, oranges, papaya, and strawberries.
Do bananas help with scurvy?
Scurvy can be easily created in the laboratory using autoclaved rolled oats supplemented with bran, milk, casein, and inorganic salts.
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When such a diet is supplemented with bananas, 10 to 15 gm. will guard against scurvy.
Does ginger prevent scurvy?
Ginger is available all year, making it incredibly accessible. It is also high in Vitamin C. As a result, Chinese sailors in the 5th century AD drank ginger to prevent scurvy.
Which food will provide the most vitamin C per serving?
Citrus fruits, tomatoes, potatoes, and tomato juice
A Word From GetMe Treated
According to the question “What are the best foods to treat scurvy” above, those are the best foods to treat your scurvy! If you have additional foods for treating scurvy, kindly share them with us via our comment section or via our contact us page.