Benefits of Vitamin C

Vitamins are micronutrients which play critical roles in the bio-functioning of any living thing on earth. There are 13 types of them, and Vitamin C is commonly known as the “king” of the team. It is the key in the production of almost any tissue from new skin, to tendons and vessels, healing wounds, repairing teeth and helping us absorb iron.

 

What is vitamin C?

It is one of the water soluble vitamins and therefore can penetrate any living tissue easily. It takes part in a wide set of enzymatic reactions and is essential for the formation and repair of any body part. Being a strong antioxidant, it is thought to be helping prevent and delay many diseases.

It is also the booster of our immune system by helping the body to produce new immune cells. Citrus fruits and green vegetables are the top sources of this organic miracle. An average adult needs 75-90 mg a day while smokers need some 35 mg more for the extra damage tobacco smoke causes.

 

Main benefits

1- It is a powerful antioxidant
Everyday metabolic processes and pollution increases free radicals in our bodies. Free radicals are chemically active molecules and can damage DNA, causing a variety of health problems like cancer. Antioxidants have the potential to react with and neutralize free radicals, protecting our DNA structure. Consuming enough vitamin C everyday significantly increases antioxidant levels in the blood.

2- It lowers blood pressure
Being water-soluble and easily entering bloodstream, it acts as a diuretic. This feature helps kidneys refine blood much more easily and therefore blood pressure drops to normal levels faster.

3- Strengthens immune system
Immune system both fights microbes and destroys defected cells. This system has its own “army” of beneficial cells and vitamin C helps to increase the production of these cells.

4- Increases skin and hair quality
Collagen is the major organic molecule to help our skin be strong and healthy. Enough production of collagen is directly related to our daily intake of vitamins.

5- Helps tissue healing
Another benefit of collagen is the wound healing process. Vitamin C is crucial for the production of collagen and helps rapid wound healing whether it is a cut, trauma or burn.

6- Helps for emotional problems
This vital amine can also help you stay in good mood as it helps you get rid of pollution chemicals faster. Industrialization makes us live in polluted environments and this means we receive lots and lots of chemicals from the air, water and food. These chemicals are some of the greatest sources of modern day stress and anxiety.

Sources of vitamin C

Citrus fruits (orange, tangerine, grapefruit, lemon)

• Sweet potatoes
• Melon
• Tomato
• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Purple cabbage
• Green pepper
• Kiwi
• Asparagus
• Strawberry
• Rosehip
• Blackberry
• Vine leaves

 

Symptoms of vitamin C deficiency

This vitamin cannot be stored in our bodies like the fat soluble ones, therefore we need to take it daily. In case of deficiency, you will quickly see the outcome. Its deficiency will show itself with dry hair, pale skin, delayed healing of wounds, frequent bleeding of gum and swollen joints.

It is highly recommended to take this precious vitamin from food instead of supplements because we also need the other nutritional elements and fiber. However, if you cannot absorb it naturally or need to consume in higher amounts, supplements can be used.