Vitamin C is among one of the most effective nutrients that our body can use. It buoys up the immune system and helps in preventing cardiovascular diseases and eye problems. But this vitamin cannot be stored in the body so that you have to feed the body the required dose regularly. Because of the numerous health benefits of vitamin C, it is important that people get the daily quota.
How does the body benefit?
Natural Vitamin C
Collagen is a fibrous protein that supports body tissues of bone, cartilage, ligaments, blood vessels etc., and it is vitamin C that produces this necessary protein in the body. Other benefits of vitamin C are its role in keeping the skin well toned and wrinkle free and also in producing dentin, the calcified tissue that is one of the teeth components. As it buoys up the immunity system, vitamin C also aids in faster healing of wounds. Benefits of vitamin C also include the production of histamines, which are amines involved in immune responses.
Controlling blood pressure and thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular problems are also among the benefits. It can produce nitric oxide, which is a chemical compound that can relax blood vessels. It is this property that makes it preventive of cardiovascular problems and stroke.
Antioxidant benefits of vitamin C
Free radicals are byproducts resulting from the oxidation of cells and are a type of oxygen atom that can affect the body cells negatively. Antioxidants are natural agents that prevent and nullify the action of free radicals. Among the more important benefits of vitamin C is its antioxidant property.
Because of its functionality as an antioxidant, vitamin C can also strengthen the immune system and thus prevents common ailments like cold, cough, flu, and other minor infections. This adds one more to the list of the benefits of vitamin C. And studies are being conducted to decide the efficacy of vitamin C in preventing cancer and major eye problems like macular degeneration.
Conclusion
With such a long list of benefits this vitamin has, it is indeed a must that we make it a part of our daily diet. Many daily used veggies like broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, spinach, cabbage, peppers, tomatoes, strawberries, and citrus fruits like grapefruits and lemons are rich in vitamin C. With a little careful planning of your diet, you can make sure that you and your family get sufficient quantities of this important vitamin.