Vitamin C Can Boost Placental Health in Smokers

Published in the Scientific Reports journal by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University, this study highlights the potential of vitamin C to improve placental health in women who smoke while pregnant. Smoking during pregnancy is known to harm fetal development, particularly affecting the lungs, brain, and other vital organs.

The researchers found that supplementing a standard prenatal vitamin with 500 mg of additional vitamin C significantly improved placental blood flow, bringing it closer to levels observed in nonsmokers. This suggests that vitamin C may partially mitigate the harmful effects of smoking on fetal development.

However, the study also noted that while some abnormalities were prevented, vitamin C could not address all the adverse effects of smoking during pregnancy.

Smoking during pregnancy poses broader risks, including preterm birth, reduced brain development, and restricted growth, which vitamin C cannot entirely offset. The researchers also warn that nicotine’s role in fetal harm extends to habits such as vaping and other nicotine products.

To read how previous research has found that vitamin C improves the respiratory health of smoking mothers’ offspring, see this news story on our website.