Poor Diet Linked To Rise In NHS Cases Of Scurvy

THE cost-of-living squeeze may be fuelling the return of a disease that once killed millions of sailors, doctors have warned.

- Hanna Geissler

Before the 18th century, scurvy plagued sailors on long voyages who relied on non-perishable foods like biscuits, salt beef and pork.

Now, modern money woes, along with bariatric weight loss surgery, are feared to be behind an increase in cases.

NHS admissions have risen in recent years after consistently sitting below 100 per year before 2014.

Provisional figures for 2022-23 show 171 were admitted with a primary or secondary diagnosis.

A poor diet, malnutrition, drinking too much alcohol, obesity and smoking are among factors that can increase risk of scurvy, which is caused by a vitamin C deficiency.