The Mystery Illness That Swept Through the Age of Discovery
These days, saying “Good health begins with proper nutrition” might seem too obvious to pay attention to. Yet precisely because we live in an era of abundant food, we may have forgotten the importance of what we eat.
One of the most common and easily accessible supplements is vitamin C. It’s found in many foods, including sweets and drinks, making it a familiar nutrient. But did you know that, in the past, many people lost their lives due to vitamin C deficiency?
During the 15th century in Europe, as the Age of Discovery began, a mysterious illness started to spread among sailors. Known as scurvy, it caused weakness, bleeding from the nose and mouth, and a painful death. The cause was vitamin C deficiency, although this hadn’t yet been discovered at the time.
According to estimates, from the 16th century to the mid-18th century—a span of about 250 years—at least one million people died of scurvy.
In 1747, James Lind, a physician in the British Royal Navy, conducted the world’s first clinical trial and demonstrated that citrus fruit could prevent scurvy. Eventually, lime juice was issued as part of the daily rations on all navy vessels.
By that time, there was a growing empirical understanding that the vitamin C in citrus fruits helped prevent scurvy.
It wasn’t until the 20th century, however, that vitamin C was finally isolated and crystallized. In 1937, Albert Szent-Györgyi, who discovered vitamin C, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
References
- Yakushigaku Zasshi (Journal of Medical History) 51(1), 5-10 (2016)
- Sekai-shi o Kaeta Kusuri (Drugs That Changed World History) by Kentaro Sato, 2015, Kodansha
- All About, October 29, 2019, and others
Vitamin C Is One of the “Anti-Aging” Nutrients
Although the benefits of vitamin C hardly need mention, the reason scurvy occurs is that it becomes impossible to synthesize collagen.
Collagen is a type of protein found in the skin, blood vessels, ligaments, cartilage, and other tissues, helping to hold cells together—think of it as what gives skin its “firmness.” When vitamin C is lacking, the bonds between cells weaken, causing the body to collapse.
Additionally, vitamin C helps maintain healthy capillaries and teeth, suppresses the production of melanin (thereby preventing sunburn), and boosts resistance to illness. Beyond its cosmetic benefits, vitamin C’s antioxidant properties also help prevent diseases such as cancer and arteriosclerosis, and it is considered an anti-aging nutrient.
According to the 2019 National Health and Nutrition Survey in Japan, the average daily intake of vitamin C among Japanese people is 93.5 mg, which exceeds the estimated average requirement of 85 mg. Therefore, those who eat a generally balanced diet are likely getting enough vitamin C.
However, people who often eat out, rely heavily on convenience store or department store food, or pursue extreme dieting should be cautious about potential vitamin C deficiency.
Vitamin C is classified as a water-soluble vitamin and does not readily accumulate in the body, which means it’s vital to consume it consistently. From both health and anti-aging perspectives, vitamin C is definitely one nutrient you want to actively include in your diet.