We explored the effects of vitamin C as a treatment for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, also known as emesis gravidarum. Our study involved 111 participants, who were given either vitamin C-containing chewing gum, a placebo, or no treatment at all. We monitored them over two follow-up visits in early pregnancy to assess their symptoms.
While we measured various factors that could influence nausea—including hormone levels like hCG and DAO—our findings showed that the chewing gum did not effectively reduce nausea symptoms compared to the placebo or no treatment. Specifically, the vitamin C gum was not associated with any significant alleviation of nausea or vomiting.
Interestingly, we found that elevated levels of hCG were linked to increased nausea severity. In contrast, higher levels of DAO appeared to have a protective effect against symptoms. Additionally, elevated thyroxine and pyridoxine levels correlated with worsened nausea.
Overall, while vitamin C is often highlighted for its health benefits, our results suggest it does not play a significant role in treating nausea during pregnancy. This study highlights the complexities behind nausea in pregnancy, indicating that further research is necessary to uncover effective treatment options.