What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is one of the safest and most effective nutrients. Vitamin C is an essential vitamin, meaning your body can’t produce it. Yet, it has many roles and has been linked to impressive health benefits. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can strengthen your body’s natural defenses. Antioxidants are molecules that boost the immune system. They do so by protecting cells from harmful molecules called free radicals. The benefits of vitamin C may include protection against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease, and even skin wrinkling. It’s water-soluble and found in many fruits and vegetables, including oranges, strawberries, kiwi fruit, bell peppers, broccoli, kale, and spinach. Vitamin C supplements can help improve the absorption of iron from the diet. Vitamin C assists in converting iron that is poorly absorbed, such as plant-based sources of iron (essential for making red blood cells and transporting oxygen throughout the body), into a form that is easier to absorb. Taking 100 mg of vitamin C may improve iron absorption and reduce the risk of anemia among people prone to iron deficiency.
Why should we take Vitamin C?
One of the main reasons we should take vitamin C supplements is to boost our immunity, as vitamin C is involved in many parts of the immune system. First, vitamin C helps encourage the production of white blood cells known as lymphocytes and phagocytes, which help protect the body against infection. Second, vitamin C helps these white blood cells function more effectively while protecting them from damage by potentially harmful molecules, such as free radicals. Third, vitamin C is an essential part of the skin’s defense system. It’s actively transported to the skin, where it can act as an antioxidant and help strengthen the skin’s barriers. Studies have also shown that taking vitamin C may shorten wound healing time. What’s more, low vitamin C levels have been linked to poor health outcomes.
Foods that contain Vitamin C
Acerola Cherry, Guava, Peppers, Kiwi, Oranges, Strawberries, Papaya, Kale, Kohlrabi, Broccoli, Pineapple, Brussel Sprouts