Commonly Overlooked Benefits of Vitamin C
Vitamin C. With over 6,000 peer-reviewed journals on the topic, it’s the most popular vitamin in the world for a reason — it’s essential for human health. Not only does this powerful nutrient prevent aging and heart disease, but it supports your immune system and helps with collagen production as well.
There are many other commonly overlooked benefits of vitamin C. But, before we get into that, let’s zoom out and answer the question: what is vitamin C?
What is vitamin C?
Vitamin C isn’t just in orange juice. It’s a water-soluble nutrient present in many fresh fruits and vegetables. Other names for vitamin C include ascorbic acid and L-ascorbic acid.
What does vitamin C do?
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that combats free radical damage in the body. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells, leading to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other severe health conditions. Vitamin C helps neutralize these substances before they can cause damage.
What are vitamin C benefits?
Many people herald vitamin C as the ultimate immune booster to treat colds or the flu. But vitamin C also prevents gum disease, fights depression and even helps protect your skin.
- Vitamin C treats gum disease. Want healthier gums? Vitamin C prevents bacteria from sticking to your teeth, thus reducing the risk of periodontal diseases. Plus, since vitamin C decreases inflammation, it can also reduce the severity of gum disease when it’s already developed.
- Vitamin C fights depression. Vitamin C helps regulate serotonin levels in the brain. Low serotonin levels can lead to depression, anxiety, insomnia, and other mood disorders. Vitamin C works to restore normal serotonin levels in your brain, which may improve your mood and give you more energy to get through your day.
- Vitamin C protects the skin. Studies have shown that vitamin C may help improve skin elasticity and protect against wrinkles and fine lines due to aging. In addition, it can aid in collagen production, thus helping to lessen these effects caused by exposure to environmental factors like the sun and pollution.
Which fruits and vegetables are good sources of Vitamin C?
The human body does not produce vitamin C on its own, so you need to consume it through foods or supplements.
Plant foods such as tomatoes, broccoli, kale, and potatoes are good sources of vitamin C, as well as tropical fruits like mangoes and papayas.
Other sources of vitamin C come from citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, limes, grapefruits, kiwifruit, and tangerines. Eating a wide range of different fruits will help to ensure you are getting enough vitamin C to maintain a healthy diet.
Where can I find Vitamin C?
Despite all of the natural sources of vitamin C, more than 90% of Americans consume less than the recommended daily intake. So, adding a vitamin C supplement to your diet may be your best bet.
Vitamin C supplements are available in tablets, capsules, powders, and liquids. But the most convenient form may be vitamin C gummies. Vitamin C gummies make it easier and more enjoyable for adults and children to get their recommended dosage.
And one of the best vitamin C gummies out there is Mary Ruth’s line of vitamin gummies. This vitamin C supplement is made with all-natural ingredients and does not contain artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners.
So, there you have it: vitamin C is an essential nutrient for overall good health. Will you make an effort to add some vitamin C to your diet? It may be a bit challenging, but you’ll be glad you did in the long run!
