Hospitalized patients can improve their mental state during their stay by increasing their vitamin C intake, according to findings published in the journal Nutrition.

During a recent trial, a team of researchers from the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal had a group of patients take a supplement containing vitamin C or D over the course of seven to 10 days.

The investigators discovered that those who were given vitamin C experienced a better emotional state while they were hospitalized. However, patients who took the vitamin D supplements didn’t report any difference in mood improvement.

The team concluded that because there was no change in the vitamin D group, this study proves supplement response is not resulting with information compared to a placebo effect. Also, in order to determine the long-term effects of vitamin C on acute hospitalized patients, the researchers suggest that physicians should consider administrating vitamin supplements during treatments.

John Hoffer, lead author of the study, stated that “subclinical deficiencies of vitamin C and D have each been linked to psychological abnormalities, so we examined that aspect in our clinical trial.” He added that “our finding definitely requires follow up in larger studies in other centers, and the treatment is safe, simple and cheap, and could have major clinical practice implications.”

In addition to improving one’s emotional state, increased vitamin C intake may lead to better health among pregnant women, according to a study featured in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.