Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and is a powerful anti-oxidant. It is neither stored in the body nor made in the body. It is excreted in the urine. Therefore one needs to take adequate amounts from the diet. Here are some of the benefits of Vitamin C.
Role of Vitamin C in the body
- It vitalizes the immune system and plays a crucial role in helping us deal with our infections and inflammations.
- It plays an important role in iron absorption from the gut.
- There is some evidence that it has a beneficial effect on the blood pressure.
- It has shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks and gout too.
Vitamin C Rich Food
Vitamin C is easily found in fruits and vegetables. High amounts are present in oranges, grapefruit, lemons, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, kiwi, tomatoes, and leafy green vegetables.
Since Vitamin C is excreted in the body, it does not have any side effects and overdosing does not happen. Deficiency of Vitamin C can lead to a condition called scurvy.
During pregnancy, an additional supplement is not required. Adequate Vitamin C is easily obtained from a healthy balanced diet.
