Vitamin C is an essential vitamin that is beneficial to the human body in a number of ways. Since it’s an essential vitamin, though, it is not produced naturally by the body. The best way to consume vitamin C is through natural sources such as fruits and vegetables, although vitamin C supplements are also available in the market.
Vitamin C, which is a strong antioxidant, is needed for the proper function of different parts of the body and helps to maintain a healthy immune system as it can strengthen the body’s defenses against disease and inflammation. The recommended dose of vitamin C is about 65-90 mg per day with a limit being at about 2g per day. Although over consumption of vitamin C is usually caused by mega doses of supplements, it is typically urinated out. In other cases, it may cause headache, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and even kidney stones.
Vitamin C serves many functions such as:
- Treating the common cold
- Treating infections
- Treating skin conditions
- For depression, dementia, Alzheimer’s
- Helps memory and protects thinking
- Increase iron absorption from foods
- Heart and blood vessel issues including high blood pressure and high cholesterol
- Treating long-term pain after injury
- Protecting skin from the sun
- Anti-aging
- Healing wounds in the body
- Maintain and repair bones and cartilage
The following are some foods containing Vitamin C:
- Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, lime, and grapefruit
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Kale
- Mangoes
- Kiwi
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Sweet potatoes
- Strawberries
- Papaya
