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1. May Reduce Your Risk Of Chronic Disease
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can strengthen your body’s natural defenses (2). Antioxidants are molecules that boost the immune system. This helps the body’s natural defenses fight inflammation ( 4 , 5).
How Much Vitamin C Is Enough?
A deficiency in vitamin C is associated with many stress related disease. It is the first nutrient to be depleted in alcoholics, smokers, and obese individuals. And because vitamin C is one of the nutrients sensitive to stress, Moyad says naintaining levels of vitamin C can be an ideal marker for overall health.
“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,” says Moyad. Although research has been conflicting, one study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that those with the highest concentrations of vitamin C in their blood were associated with 42% lower stroke risk than those with the lowest concentrations. But what is clear is that people who eat plenty of fruits and vegetables have higher blood levels of vitamin C.
“People who consume more fruit and vegetables will not only have higher [blood] levels of vitamin C, but higher intake of other nutrients potentially beneficial to health, such as fiber and other vitamins and minerals,” study researcher Phyo K. Myint said in an email interview.
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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These include: helping to protect cells and keeping them healthy
maintaining healthy skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage
helping with wound healing Lack of vitamin C can lead to scurvy.
Good sources include: citrus fruit, such as oranges and orange juice
Peppers
Strawberries
Blackcurrants
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Potatoes
How Much Vitamin C Do I Need?
Adults aged 19 to 64 need 40mg of vitamin C a day. Vitamin C cannot be stored in the body, so you need it in your diet every day. Taking large amounts (more than 1,000mg per day) of vitamin C can cause: stomach pain
diarrhoea
flatulence These symptoms should disappear once you stop taking vitamin C supplements.
What Does The Department Of Health And Social Care Advise?
You should be able to get all the vitamin C you need by eating a varied and balanced diet. If you take vitamin C supplements, do not take too much as this could be harmful. Taking less than 1,000mg of vitamin C supplements a day is unlikely to cause any har.
1. Vitamin C Stimulates Collagen Synthesis
The body depends on vitamin C for the synthesis of collagen, which is found in connective tissue around the body, according to the NIH. The increased collagen synthesis also means vitamin C helps wounds heal, according to Oregon State University.