Vitamin C is water-soluble which means that the body is unable to store it. Therefore, vitamin C must be taken on a daily basis. There are many different types of vegetables and fruits that contain a lot of vitamin C, but be careful how you prepare them as vitamin C can be lost in the liquids in which they are cooked.
Below is a list of foods which are high in vitamin C.
Foods High In Vitamin C
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What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C, also known as Ascorbic Acid, is an essential anti-oxidant and is necessary for the production of collagen, connective tissue found in skin, bone, ligaments and blood vessels. It performs a variety of other enzymatic and metabolic functions, such as:
- maintaining and repairing body tissue
- strengthening blood vessels
- aiding the absorption of calcium, essential for healthy bones and teeth
- helping the body to resist infections
- lowering levels of blood cholesterol
- aiding the absorption of iron from food, thus preventing anaemia
- protecting cells from free radicals that can damage cell membrane and DNA
How Much Vitamin C Do I Need?
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin C is subject to ongoing debate. In the US, it currently stands at 60mg per day. Vitamin C deficiency is characterized by:
- easy bruising
- swollen and bleeding gums
- wounds that have trouble healing
Smokers are at a risk for vitamin C deficiency and require more of a daily intake than non-smokers.
Too much Vitamin C intake on a regular basis will cause the following problems:
- diarrhoea
- kidney stones
Daily excesses are excreted as waste and the body will require more supplementation the following day.
References :
Office of Dietary Supplements – National Institutes of Health
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