How long does vitamin C stay in your system?

According to About.com Nutrition, vitamin C is classified as a water-soluble vitamin. These vitamins aren't stored in the body for very long. According to Help Guide, water-soluble vitamins are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and used up, while any excess amount is passed out of the body via urine.

Help Guide goes on to point out that water-soluble vitamins sometimes stay in the body for more than a few days. However, as About.com Nutrition states, they generally need to be replenished on a daily basis. The National Institutes of Health states that the body is unable to absorb more than about 1 gram of vitamin C a day.