We’ve all heard about Vitamin C. Whether it’s from our mums, teachers, or that fitness-focused friend. But what actually is it, and what does it do? Well Vitamin C is a complex and necessary nutrient, and that’s why we’ve researched it.
With the hard work done for you, read on to find out for yourself exactly why you need to be getting enough Vitamin C in your diet.
What is Vitamin C?
In order to understand how Vitamin C works and why your body needs it, we first have to know what it is.
Also known as Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin C is a nutrient commonly found in fruit and vegetables (especially citrus fruits, like oranges and lemons). It has a variety of properties, such as being an anti-oxidant and water-soluble. It’s also essential to our survival, and lack of it can result in scurvy.
So what does all this mean?
It means that Vitamin C is incredibly important and we should take effort to consume enough of it in our day-to-day lives.
How Does Vitamin C Work?
It’s not just citrus fruits that contain Vitamin C, though they are the most famous. The vitamin can also be found in other fruits and vegetables like peppers, strawberries, broccoli, and blackcurrants.
The antioxidants found in Vitamin C are very strong, and able to strengthen your immune system. This includes combating the free radicals and the oxidative stress they create. These free radicals have been linked to chronic diseases, and can be created by something like exercise. The best way to help your body fight against free radicals is by consuming products high in antioxidants.
Because Vitamin C is water-soluble, it is only obtainable from your diet or supplements. Of course, improving your intake of Vitamin C through your diet leads to a much better health improvement than via supplementation. This is because nutritious food often contains multiple vitamins and minerals needed for maintaining your health, whereas taking a supplement only provides your body with that one vitamin.
Unfortunately, our bodies cannot store Vitamin C. This means when we consume it, it has to be on a daily basis to keep ourselves as healthy as possible. Consuming the right amount of nutritious food every day can be difficult, which is why many people do rely on supplementation. If you decide that taking a supplement is best for you, taking it in a form easily absorbed by your body is the ideal method of supplementation.
Why Do We Need It?
Having Vitamin C in our bodies is vital for us to produce collagen. If you’re unaware, collagen is a protein in our bodies which is used to repair any damage to muscle, tissue, and other wounds.
It’s not just used in repairing our wounds and tissue though. Having sufficient amounts of Vitamin C in your diet is essential for several conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, iron deficiency, and memory.
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Blood Pressure
Keeping blood pressure down is an effective method of reducing the risk of heart disease. The reason Vitamin C has been found to help, is because it helps to relax the blood vessels leaving the heart. Consequently, this leads to reduced blood pressure levels on the whole.
It should be noted that this isn’t suggested to be a treatment for those suffering from high blood pressure.
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Iron Deficiency
Having enough iron in your body is essential for transporting oxygen throughout your body. It can be a very difficult mineral to absorb, however, and that’s where Vitamin C comes in. When you have enough Vitamin C in your body, it is able to help your body convert plant-based iron into a form that’s easier for our bodies to absorb.
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Memory
It is believed that the risk of memory and cognitive issues, including dementia, is at least increased by high levels of oxidative stress near the brain and spine. Since oxidative stress is caused by free radicals, this can be combated by the strong antioxidants in Vitamin C.
With Vitamin C having such a powerful and widespread effect on our bodies, it is easy to see why it’s one of the most critical vitamins to have. Considering there are certain external factors that increase our body’s need for Vitamin C (such as secondhand smoke, and certain medical conditions).
If your consumption of Vitamin C falls dangerously low, then you’ll also be at risk of scurvy. This is a severe condition caused by a Vitamin C deficiency, and if left untreated, can have potentially fatal effects. With that in mind, it’s imperative that you eat a balanced and varied diet in order to help your body receive the correct nutrients for healthy growth and repair.
And those are the effects that Vitamin C can have on you and your body. Vitamin C is essential to maintaining a strong and healthy lifestyle. While it is better that you get the necessary amounts from your diet, taking supplements is a valid alternative. Don’t just rely on our research though, learn for yourself how important your diet is for your health.
