Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin, necessary for healthy functioning of the body. Also known as ascorbic acid, Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin; our bodies don’t store it, so we have to get enough from our diets every day.

Some of its critical uses include:

• Maintaining healthy skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage
• Supporting immune function, especially during and after intense exercise
• Normal physiological and nervous function
• Improved absorption of iron from plant sources

Vitamin C is found in many fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits and juices, dark green leafy veg, peppers and berries.  In fact, did you know that hot chilli peppers have more Vitamin C than oranges?

Deficiency is rare but can lead to scurvy, which causes symptoms such as fatigue and swollen, bleeding gums.

This essential micronutrient has many roles, including:

• an antioxidant – it helps protects cells against damage from free-radicals (oxidation), which has been linked to chronic disease
• maintaining a healthy nervous system by supporting enzymes that process messages between neurons in the brain
• contributing to the production of collagen for tendons and ligaments, skin, cornea, bones, blood vessels and cartilage
• helping the body to absorb non-haem iron from plant sources