subject: Most Information About Vitamin C [print this page] Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for our body. Our body requires vitamin C to form and maintain bones, blood vessels, and skin. It is a water soluble vitamin and it is necessary for normal development, growth and repair of tissues in all parts of our body. It forms collagen which is used to make skin, scar tissue, ligaments, blood vessels and tendons. Our body cannot store such vitamins and are flushed out so we need a continuous supply of such vitamins. It is an organic compound and is also known as ascorbic acid. It is one of many antioxidants. It is not made by our body so should be consumed from food.
Sources of Food rich in vitamin c:
-> Vegetables like broccoli, tomatoes, turnip greens, sweet and white potatoes, cantaloupe, asparagus, green peppers, red peppers, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, yams, parsley, peas, turnips, onions, corn, pumpkins, carrots and squash.
-> Fruits like lemons, oranges, grapefruits, pears, tangerines, bananas, melons, papayas, strawberries, mangos, cherries, rose hips, watermelon, raspberries, cranberries, blueberries, pineapple and kiwis.
-> Citrus fruits and its juices.
-> Fish.
-> Herbs like watercress and garlic.
Health benefits of vitamin c are:
-> It helps in healing of cuts and wounds.
-> Fights against infection.
-> It helps in regulating cholesterol.
-> It helps to enlarge blood vessels and therefore it lessens the risk of high blood pressure.
-> It helps to prevent the development of a disease known as scurvy.
-> It helps protect diabetics against deterioration of kidneys.
-> It helps to lower the risk of developing cataracts.
