International Scurvy Awareness Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Scurvy

International Day for the Awareness of Scurvy is celebrated on May 2. You may ponder why the world is still concerned about scurvy. The reality is that the disease is still prevalent in the world as a result of widespread malnutrition and starvation in many nations, as well as the surprising number of people who adhere to extremely restrictive diets that exclude foods like fruits and vegetables. Additionally, the day is observed to honour those who endured it in the past. Their extraordinary perseverance moulded the world we know today. Obviously, we cannot ignore those who continue to endure such suffering.

The background of International Scurvy Awareness Day

Scurvy was first identified during the Crusades, which occurred between the 11th and 13th centuries. European Christian powers dispatched armies to subjugate rival religions. During these lengthy journeys, it was common for the men to gradually lose their vitality and develop the symptoms of scurvy. After approximately 2,000,000 mariners perished as a result of scurvy, it wasn’t until the 1500s that it was recognised as a potentially fatal illness.

The disease’s distressingly high death toll prompted concern and further investigation from naval commanders and doctors. Commodore George Anson reported that 1,855 of his 2,000 sailors died from scurvy. James Lind, a physician, was sufficiently intrigued by the epidemic that was wiping out the British navy after hearing Anson’s report. Lind then conducted trials to test the treatment methods he had heard other naval medical officers employ, and ultimately demonstrated that citrus fruits could prevent the disease and assist mariners in maintaining good health during voyages. Despite the veracity of his findings, Lind passed away before they could gain popularity.

Only at the close of the nineteenth century did preventive measures such as daily juice doses of vitamin C become commonplace. For many years, scurvy was recognised as a fatal disease that was highly preventable due to the staggering losses suffered during numerous long marine voyages. Now, however, many people associate scurvy with the popular culture stereotype of the pirate.

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5 SCURVY FACTS THAT WILL SURPRISE YOU

Drinking mead, ale, or cider was one of the earliest remedies for scurvy in the British navy.

We need vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, to maintain our health.

In addition to humans, primates and guinea pigs are the only other species incapable of producing their own vitamin C.

Even in third-world countries, scurvy has become less and less of a problem since the invention of enriched bread and cereals.

Potatoes have one of the highest concentrations of vitamin C, with a serving of french fries providing up to 22% of the daily value!

INTERNATIONAL SCURVY AWARENESS DAY DATES