- Vitamin C is needed to produce collagen, which is what gives skin its elasticity and strength.
- Vitamin C is an essential vitamin that helps keep your body healthy. It also has powerful antioxidant properties that protect against free radicals. Free radicals are harmful chemicals that damage cells and cause cell death.
- Free radicals are produced naturally during normal metabolism and cellular respiration. They are also created by environmental toxins such as cigarette smoke and pollution.
- Vitamin C is found in fruits and vegetables, including oranges, strawberries, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, peppers, and cauliflower. It is also added to many foods and beverages, including orange juice, tomato juice, milk, and cereal.
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Why is vitamin C so important?
- 1) Collagen production: The primary function of vitamin C is to help the body make collagen. This protein forms a strong connective tissue called bone matrix or cartilage. These tissues give our bodies their shape and support. Without enough collagen, you can have brittle bones and weak joints. You may be able to see this problem if your face sags because it lacks collagen.
- 2) Antioxidant protection: When we age, our immune system becomes less effective at fighting off disease-causing bacteria and viruses. As a result, more infections occur. In addition, some diseases like cancer become more likely with aging. One way antioxidants fight these problems is by protecting us from damaging free radical molecules.
- 3) Immune health: Vitamin C supports immunity by helping white blood cells develop into mature cells that attack invaders like bacteria.
- 4) Healthy eyes: Vitamin C protects our vision by keeping our retina clear. If there’s too much fluid inside the eyeball, the light will not focus properly on the retina.
- 5) Heart health: Vitamin C is vital for maintaining good heart health. For example, when we exercise vigorously, oxygen levels increase rapidly in our muscles.
- If they’re not replenished quickly, then the muscle fibers begin breaking down. That means that the lactic acid builds up in the bloodstream. The lactic acid buildup causes pain and fatigue.
- When the liver produces glucose, it releases insulin. Insulin lowers the level of sugar in the blood. But if there isn’t enough insulin available, the blood sugar rises again—high blood pressure results.
- To prevent all of those complications, the pancreas must release extra insulin. To do this, the pancreas needs lots of nutrients, especially vitamin C. So without sufficient vitamin C, diabetes occurs. Studies show that diabetic patients who take large doses of vitamin C improve their blood sugar control.
- 6) Stronger teeth: Tooth enamel consists mainly of minerals like calcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite. Calcium phosphate crystals form the outer layer of tooth enamel. Hydroxyapatite crystals provide the inner part of the enamel. Both types of crystals require vitamin C to grow correctly.
- 7) Better-looking hair: Hair follicles contain oil glands. Oil makes hair shiny and soft. Unfortunately, oil breaks down over time, leaving hair dull and lifeless.
- 8 ) More energy: We use vitamin C for making ATP — the molecule that provides energy for every living thing. Therefore, having plenty of vitamin C keeps us energetic throughout life!
- 9) Improved moods: Vitamin C helps the brain produce serotonin. Serotonin controls emotions such as happiness and sadness. It also regulates sleep patterns.
- 10) Good skin: Skin contains many different cells, including fibro blasts, keratinocytes, melanocytes, and endothelial cells. All of these cell types depend upon vitamin C to perform well.
- 11) Lower risk of infection: Studies suggest that taking 400-800 mg of vitamin C daily reduces the chance of catching colds.
- 12) Fewer wrinkles: Wrinkles are caused by changes in the structure of proteins within the skin.
- Proteins are made out of amino acids. Amino acids are formed from other chemicals during metabolism. Metabolism requires vitamin C.
- 13) Healthier gums: Gums are covered with tiny capillaries that nourish gum tissue. Capillary walls consist primarily of collagen, which is produced by cells known as fibro blasts. Fibroblasts thrive best under conditions where they receive ample supplies of vitamin C.
- 14) Reduced stress: Stress often leads to headaches and stomachaches. Taking vitamin C regularly relieves both symptoms.
- 15) Faster wound healing: Wounds heal faster when they receive an adequate supply of vitamin C.
- 16) Better memory: Some research suggests that vitamin C improves mental performance. Other researchers disagree.
- 17) Longer lifespans: The human body can only store a certain amount of vitamin C. If we don’t consume more than our bodies need, we will lose some of our reserved vitamin C. This may lead to health problems or even death.
- 18) Fewer heart attacks: One study found that people with high levels of vitamin C had fewer heart attacks than others. Another study showed that women who took 1g of vitamin C each day reduced their chances of getting coronary artery disease by 50%.
- 19) Cancer prevention: A number of scientists believe that vitamin C prevents cancer because it boosts immunity. Others think that vitamin C kills bacteria that cause cancers. Still, others say that antioxidants kill free radicals before they damage DNA.
- 20) Weight loss: Eating foods rich in vitamin C increases your ability to burn fat. When you eat food slow in vitamin C, your body stores fatter instead of burning it off.
- 21) Increased athletic performance: Athletes whose diets include fruits and vegetables have better endurance than athletes on junk food diets.
- 22) Healthy bones: Bones contain two main components; bone matrix and mineralized cartilage. Bone matrix is created by osteoblasts, while chondrocytes make mineralized cartilage. Osteoblast activity depends on vitamin C. Chondrocytes require vitamin C to make strong cartilages.
- 23) Happy eyes: Eyes have very little water content.
- 24) Strong immune system: Immune systems work much like muscles. They use oxygen for energy.
- Oxygen needs to be delivered to all parts of the body at regular intervals. This process requires vitamin C.
- 25) Improved mood: Mood disorders such as depression affect millions of Americans every year. Many experts agree that vitamin C helps reduce anxiety and improve mood.
- 26) More beautiful hair: Hair color comes from pigments called melanin. Melanin production relies heavily on vitamin C.
- 27) Longevity: People who take supplements containing vitamin C live longer than those who do not.
- Scientists aren’t sure why this happens, but one theory holds that vitamin C protects against diseases associated with aging.
- 28) Better sex life: Sex involves hormones, blood ow, nerve endings, muscle contractions, and relaxation. Hormones produce feelings of desire and excitement. Blood ow makes orgasms possible.
- Nerve endings transmit messages about sexual arousal. Muscle contraction causes orgasm.
- Relaxation allows us to enjoy ourselves after climaxing. These functions rely on vitamin C.
- 29) Better sleep: Sleep is necessary for restful recovery. Our brains release serotonin during deep sleep. Serotonin also stimulates the growth of new brain cells. Both processes require vitamin C.
- 30) Beautiful nails: Your fingernails grow continuously throughout adulthood—new nail plates underneath old ones.
- 31) Healthier skin: The outermost layer of our bodies contains a protein called keratin, giving skin its strength and flexibility. Keratin can only be produced when enough vitamin C is available.
- 32) Fewer wrinkles: Wrinkles are caused by tiny lines forming under the surface of the skin. Sunlight destroys these lines over time. However, if we don’t get enough sun exposure or drink too many sugary drinks, collagen breaks down faster than it forms. Collagen provides structure to the skin’s dermis.
- Without sufficient amounts of collagen, ne lines appear sooner.
- 33) Longer-lasting makeup: Makeup lasts longer when applied using products formulated without preservatives. Preservatives prevent natural oils from breaking down quickly. Natural oils protect the foundation of your face.
- 34) Faster healing: Healing takes place in three stages. First, inflammation occurs. Second, tissue repair begins. Third, remodeling completes the healing process. All three phases depend upon adequate supplies of vitamin C.
- 35) Younger-looking skin: Aging changes the appearance of the skin. Fine lines become more profound, and pore enlarge. Skin becomes thinner and paler. As a result, skin looks older. But taking vitamins C and E along with other nutrients may help reverse some of these effects.
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Which foods have vitamin C?
- Vitamin C has been found in all parts of plants, including leaves, stems, roots, flowers, seeds, fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, beans, peas, lentils, potatoes, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, kiwi fruit, guava, papaya, mangoes, melons, watermelon, eggplant, mushrooms, garlic, onions, wheat germ, sprouts, and barley malt.
- Boost immune system: Antioxidants keep free radicals at bay so they cannot cause harm to healthy tissues. Free radicals attack healthy cells and destroy them. They also weaken the body’s ability to fight infections. Extreme antioxidant levels boost immunity.
- Protects heart health: Heart disease kills more people each year than any other illness. It affects both men and women equally. One way to lower cholesterol and triglycerides, two significant factors linked to cardiovascular problems, is regular consumption of citrus fruits. Citrus fruits contain high concentrations of vitamin C.
- Prevents cancer: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Research shows that antioxidants such as those contained in citrus fruits reduce the risk of certain types of cancers.
- Studies show that eating orange juice every day reduces the risk of developing stomach cancer. Eating green leafy vegetables daily helps prevent colon cancer.
- Improves eyesight: A diet rich in vitamin C improves vision because this nutrient acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. Inflammation contributes to macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration. These conditions damage the retina, causing loss of central sight.
- Include Vitamin C on your regular diet!