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