Summary
The effect of smoking on the ascorbic acid level of the blood was investigated. Five subjects were chosen, three of whom smoked (the experimental group) and two who did not smoke (the control group). Three periods were planned of four days each. The groups were placed in the second and third periods on a controlled diet and the blood level of ascorbic acid was determined during a period of smoking and during a period when no smoking was permitted. The blood level of ascorbic acid appears to be lowered by smoking. Nicotine was added to a sample of whole human blood of known ascorbic acid content. Nicotine added under the conditions of this experiment decreased the ascorbic acid of whole blood about 24 to 31 per cent.
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Bocrquin, A., Musmanno, E. Preliminary report on the effect of smoking on the ascorbic acid content of whole blood. Amer. Jour. Dig. Dis. 20, 75–77 (1952). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02885563
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02885563