Five Amazing Benefits of Vitamin C

Eating fruits and vegetables that are loaded with vitamin C is an excellent approach to getting enough vitamin C and other important nutrients. Citrus fruits in general are excellent sources of vitamin C, including oranges (about 75 mg), guavas, grapefruit, pineapple, and kiwi fruit. Other good sources are broccoli, green peppers, tomatoes, sweet and white potatoes, watercress, and avocado.

  • Immunity- Not only is vitamin C a well-known component of your immune system, it is also necessary for collagen, the main structural protein found in connective tissue. A healthy dose of vitamin C will protect your body from infection and maintain healthy bones and teeth, as well as quicken the body's ability to repair wounds.
  • Cold- When it comes to the common cold, vitamin C may not be a cure. But some studies show that it may help prevent more serious complications. There is good evidence taking vitamin C for colds and flu can reduce the risk of developing further complications, such as pneumonia and lung infections.
  • Lower Blood Pressure- A close relative to heart disease, high blood pressure means that there is more pressure inside of your blood vessels, either when the heart is actually pumping, at rest, or both. Too much blood in the vessels from too much salt in the diet or from other diseases can cause too much pressure in the blood vessels. Stiff blood vessel walls can also raise blood pressure. High blood pressure can damage your kidneys, your heart, and your brain, leading to strokes, dementia, and heart failure. Studies with subjects taking Vitamin C supplements showed that their blood pressure dropped. Some studies also suggest that Vitamin C may prevent early births by controlling high blood pressure in pregnant women.
  • Antioxidant- Vitamin C is a powerful and effective antioxidant that protects our bodies from free radicals that cause oxidative stress. Excessive oxidative stress, or "cellular rust,"can lead to a host of severe medical conditions, such as atherosclerosis that can cause both heart disease and stroke, and is associated with many different types of cancer, including lung, mouth, throat, colon, stomach and esophagus.
  • Skin Aging- Vitamin C affects cells on the inside and outside of the body. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition examined links between nutrient intakes and skin aging in 4,025 women aged 40-74. It found that higher vitamin C intakes were associated with a lower likelihood of a wrinkled appearance, dryness of the skin, and a better skin-aging appearance.

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