Fearmongering Viral Claim: Scientific Evidence Proves Eating Shrimp and Vitamin C is Safe

Misinformation about health is everywhere on social media and can lead to widespread misunderstandings. With social media platforms on the rise, it has become easier than ever for people to share their opinions and beliefs, even if they are not valid. Unfortunately, this has led to many false health claims that can be dangerous to those who believe them.

One example of such misinformation is the viral claim that someone died from eating shrimp or prawns with Vitamin C. This claim has been circulating on social media for years and has caused undue fear and panic among many people.

Social Media Claim

A social media user shared a post featuring a frightening image of a bleeding woman. The original post has been shared almost 400K times, even though it is from 10 years ago. It has been shared until these recent days.

Source | Archive

Moreover, we found many other posts spreading the same claim across social media.

Anyway, after investigation, we did not find any scientific evidence that supports this claim.

Fact-Check

We searched for any reports in the mainstream media about a woman dying from eating shrimp or crab with vitamin C. However, we were unable to find any such reports.

What is Arsenic?

Arsenic is a natural element that exists in various organic and inorganic compounds. Although seafood, including fish, can contain arsenic, it is a non-toxic organic compound. More toxic inorganic arsenic is commonly found in soil and groundwater and can be in high concentrations in some regions. Industrial activities like mining and ore smelting can also cause inorganic arsenic.

In 2013, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a press statement regarding safe levels of arsenic in apple juice. They stated that inorganic arsenic could be present in food due to its natural occurrence in the environment and past use of pesticides containing arsenic. Inorganic arsenic is a carcinogen and has been linked to skin lesions, developmental problems, cardiovascular disease, neurotoxicity, and medical conditions such as diabetes. You can find the announcement here.

According to a World Health Organization (WHO) fact sheet on arsenic, inorganic arsenic compounds (such as those found in water) are highly toxic. In contrast, organic arsenic compounds (such as those found in seafood) are less harmful to health. The fact sheet also lists symptoms of acute arsenic poisoning and long-term exposure to arsenic. Accidental arsenic poisoning can be fatal, but this is limited to severe cases. Symptoms of acute arsenic poisoning include vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, numbness/tingling in limbs, and muscle cramps. However, the fact sheet does not mention bleeding from the ears, nose, eyes, and mouth.

Long-term exposure (at least five years) to inorganic arsenic can lead to the development of lung, bladder, and skin cancers, and the first symptoms are usually on the skin, including pigmentation, dark spots, and sores on the soles of the feet. Bleeding from the ears, nose, eyes, and mouth is not mentioned in the American Cancer Society's information on arsenic, which can be found here. While seafood, rice, rice-containing cereals, mushrooms, and poultry may contain some organic arsenic, high exposure to arsenic is a known carcinogen. According to the American Cancer Society, organic arsenic in seafood and shellfish has not been strongly linked to cancer.

The Origin of the Hoax

The idea that consuming shrimp and vitamin C together can cause arsenic poisoning is believed to have originated from a study conducted in 1985 at the University of Illinois, reported by the Chicago Tribune. The study suggested that large amounts of vitamin C and shrimp could convert certain compounds into arsenic, increasing cancer risk over time. However, it did not claim that it could cause immediate arsenic poisoning. Some reports have suggested that the study may have flaws, but further information is needed to confirm this. It's worth noting that this is just one study from 1985, and no reliable evidence has been found to support the theory since then. Studies do not suggest eating shrimp and vitamin C together can cause death from arsenic poisoning within hours.

Explanation from the Expert

Professor Vincent Idemyor, a professor of clinical pharmacology at the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Port Harcourt in Southern Nigeria, explained to Africacheck that "arsenic poisoning occurs when one has high levels of arsenic in the blood." However, arsenic is a naturally occurring substance that is widely distributed on Earth's surface. He explains that arsenic particles are present in the food we eat, the air we breathe, and even in water, which means that arsenic is a part of us.

However, he also mentions that vitamin C and shrimp are healthy foods and that their combination is not harmful. The only time this could be a problem is if the seafood contains toxins, but shrimp and crab are not contaminated foods and are perfectly safe to eat while taking vitamin C. You can find the full report of the published facts with comments from the professor here.

Inorganic Arsenic Amount in the Consumable Portion of Shrimp

We analyzed the levels of inorganic arsenic found in shrimp, which is known to cause arsenic poisoning. Many studies, including the one cited here, indicate that the concentration is low, less than one milligram. The report also suggests that it would require the consumption of around one hundred kilograms of shrimp to reach a lethal dose of arsenic trioxide in the human body.

A recent research conducted in Brazil found that wild shrimp contains considerably higher levels of inorganic arsenic than farm-raised shrimp in the country. As a result, regulatory measures should be taken in this regard. However, the risk of arsenic exposure from shrimp consumption is minimal, accounting for less than 1% of the total arsenic intake.

Further information on this topic can be found in these articles (here and here). In addition, according to a report, vitamin C-containing substances like lime juice and tomato sauce are commonly used in both Asian and Western cuisines. Hence, if any incidents of arsenic poisoning occurred from a combination of shrimp and vitamin C, it would likely have been reported by now. However, no such incidents have been detected so far.

The Photo of the Bleeding Woman

It's important to note that the image associated with this claim really shows Neda Agha-Soltan, a lady who was shot and died in 2009 during protests in Iran. The picture went viral and was adopted as the symbol of the Iranian opposition movement. It is quite unfortunate that this powerful image has been appropriated for an unrelated and incorrect purpose, adding to the confusion and spreading false information.

Conclusion

The viral claim that eating shrimp or prawns with vitamin C can cause sudden death is unfounded and has caused unnecessary fear. There have been no reported incidents of such an occurrence, and the story seems to be completely fabricated. A study from 1985 suggested that consuming large amounts of vitamin C and shrimp could increase cancer risk over time. Still, further reliable information or confirmation has not been released. Experts confirm that eating shrimp with large doses of vitamin C does not lead to death or severe conditions.