Ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, is a water-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in some foods, added to others and available as a dietary supplement. Vitamin C is an important nutrient for the body because it is a cofactor for the synthesis of collagen, carnitine, and certain neurotransmitters. It is also a reducing agent that participates in many enzymatic reactions in the body involving hydroxylation, decarboxylation, and oxidation/reduction. Ascorbic acid has been shown to have preventative effects on many diseases.
Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy, which can be fatal if left untreated. The majority of cases of scurvy have been caused by a lack of vitamin C intake due to poor diet or poverty, but it has been seen in people who have had their stomach removed or who have certain eating disorders such as bulimia. Other causes include alcoholism and guillain–barre syndrome.
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that helps the body form and maintain connective tissue, including collagen, which supports skin health. It also aids in the absorption of iron and the synthesis of certain neurotransmitters. Additionally, vitamin C can reduce the risk for heart disease and stroke by helping to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
The best sources of vitamin C are fruits and vegetables, but red peppers, green peppers and broccoli also contain some.
Although citrus fruits are typically associated with high amounts of vitamin C per serving, other fruits are also good sources. For example: kiwi fruit contains more than twice as much vitamin C as oranges; papaya contains more than three times more than oranges; strawberries contain about half as much as oranges; cantaloupe contains about one-third as much as oranges.
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin. This means that it dissolves in water and cannot be stored by the body.
Vitamin C works to maintain connective tissue and blood vessels, heal wounds, boost immunity and promote healthy skin.
There are many delicious food sources of vitamin C that can help keep your immune system strong and ward off colds. Check out these delicious fruits with ascorbic acid!
Foods with High Vitamin C Content:
1) Kiwi Fruit – 1 cup (144 grams) contains over 100% of your daily value for this nutrient. They also contain potassium, folate, fiber and vitamin E.
2) Orange – 1 large orange provides about 70% of your daily value for this nutrient. Oranges also have high levels of folate as well as other vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, B6 and potassium.
3) Guava – 1 cup (164 grams) provides almost 100% of your daily value for this nutrient along with potassium, folate and magnesium among others. The edible part of this fruit is actually the inner fleshy part surrounding the seeds which is called arils or aril meat (which looks like jelly).
1. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect the body from harmful, pro-oxidant molecules known as free radicals. In addition to its role as a water-soluble vitamin, vitamin C plays a critical role in collagen production. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and is essential for healthy skin, hair, and connective tissue.
2. Vitamin C deficiency can lead to scurvy, which is characterized by symptoms such as loose teeth, bleeding gums, joint pain and fatigue due to lack of collagen production in your body.
3. Vitamin C is found naturally in fruits like oranges, strawberries and kiwis as well as vegetables like broccoli and bell peppers.
All fruits contain vitamin C, but some have more than others. It’s important to keep in mind that the amount of vitamin C varies depending on the ripeness and variety of fruit. For example, an orange may have more vitamin C than a grapefruit, but a grapefruit has more vitamin C than a green tomato.
The following table shows the amount of vitamin C found in some common fruits:
Fruit Vitamin C (mg)
Kiwi fruit 42-82
Oranges 25-35
Grapefruit 12-23
Strawberries 50-60
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that the body cannot manufacture on its own. It is needed for growth and development and to maintain the immune system. Vitamin C enhances iron absorption and helps the body absorb other minerals, such as calcium.
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a key role in the maintenance of healthy connective tissue. Vitamin C also supports immune function and helps convert the food you eat into energy. A deficiency of this vitamin can lead to scurvy, a disease characterized by bleeding gums, loose teeth, slow healing wounds and bruising. In addition, low levels of vitamin C may cause anemia because it is needed for the formation of red blood cells.
Vitamin C foods include citrus fruits (oranges), strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, tomatoes and cantaloupe melon.
The more vitamin C a food has, the better it is for you.
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that helps your body form collagen, a protein that forms connective tissue. Vitamin C also helps maintain healthy gums and teeth and may help prevent or delay the onset of age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and other eye diseases.
Vitamin C is found in many fruits and vegetables, including oranges, grapefruits, strawberries and broccoli. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect your cells from free radicals that can damage DNA.
Vitamin C deficiency can lead to scurvy, a disease that causes bleeding gums, loose teeth and joint pain. Scurvy was common among sailors before they had access to fresh fruits and vegetables while at sea.
The recommended daily intake (RDI) for vitamin C varies depending on age:
Age RDI per day
Infants 0–6 months 40 mg (milligrams)
Infants 7–12 months 50 mg
Children 1–3 years 15 mg
Children 4–8 years 25 mg
Children 9–13 years 45 mg
Vitamin C is essential for good health, and a deficiency can lead to scurvy. It is found in many foods, including citrus fruits, kiwi fruit, broccoli and peppers. Vitamin C helps the body form collagen, which is an important part of bones, cartilage, tendons and ligaments. It also helps the immune system fight infections.
A deficiency in vitamin C can cause symptoms such as bleeding gums, poor wound healing and easy bruising. A severe deficiency can cause anaemia and fatigue.
Vitamin C supplements are available in many forms — tablets, capsules and powders — as well as being added to some foods such as breakfast cereals and fruit juices. The recommended daily amount of vitamin C depends on age but is 75mg for men aged 19-64 years old and 65mg for women aged 19-64 years old (women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should aim for 85mg).
Vitamin C is an essential vitamin for your body. It can be found in many fruits and vegetables, as well as other foods. Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid and is a water-soluble vitamin that helps the body absorb iron.
Vitamin C helps the body heal wounds, build collagen and help you fight off infections. It also keeps your gums and teeth healthy by forming connective tissue which supports them.
The benefits of Vitamin C include:
Helps prevent colds and flu by fighting off free radicals that cause infections
Protects against heart disease by reducing bad cholesterol levels and preventing plaque build-up in blood vessels
Boosts the immune system to fight infections such as colds, flu, diarrhea and pneumonia
Fights cancer by preventing cell damage from free radicals
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that our bodies cannot produce on their own. It’s an antioxidant that helps maintain healthy blood vessels, skin, teeth and gums. Vitamin C is also needed for the formation of collagen, which promotes wound healing and tissue repair.
Vitamin C supplements may be taken to prevent or treat vitamin C deficiency.
Other uses for vitamin C supplements include boosting immunity, preventing colds and flu, relieving symptoms of the common cold and flu, reducing inflammation and pain, fighting cancer-causing free radicals, preserving eye health and promoting heart health.
Vitamin C comes from fruits and vegetables. The most common sources are oranges, broccoli and strawberries.
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that’s essential for the growth and repair of tissues in the body.
Vitamin C is found in many fruits and vegetables, as well as some grains, legumes, and fortified foods. It’s also available as a dietary supplement.
The National Institutes of Health recommends that adults get 90 mg of vitamin C daily [1].
Vitamin C supplements are generally taken as capsules, tablets, or liquids. The average adult absorbs about 30 percent of the vitamin C from supplements [2].