Time and time again, we hear about the importance of vitamin C. And it’s true – it is essential for the growth, development and repair of body tissues.
It's also an antioxidant that protects against damage caused by free radicals, toxic chemicals and pollutants.
Here are the seven major benefits of vitamin C.
1. Cardiovascular Health
Recent research has shown that the vitamin C in fruits and vegetables is one of the main reasons that such foods lower heart disease risk.
A Danish study , which analyzed data from more than 100,000 different people, found that a comparatively high intake of fruits and vegetables was associated with a 15% reduced risk of early death.
2. Bone Health
Much like the tag-team of calcium and vitamin D, vitamin C promotes healthy bones. If you’re interested in more concentrated bone tissue and lower fracture rates, make sure you’re boning up on this essential nutrient!
Vitamin C suppresses bone-unhealthy cells called osteoclasts and helps your body cultivate new bone-healthy osteoblasts. For optimal bone health, vitamin C should make a daily appearance in your diet.
3. Blood Pressure
A thorough analysis of 29 scientifically conducted studies revealed that 500 milligrams of vitamin C daily has a short-term effect of lowering blood pressure by about 3.84 millilitres.
The recommended intake for adults is 90 milligrams, so if blood pressure isn’t an issue for you, you probably don’t have to worry about drinking a cup of freshly squeezed orange juice every two hours. If you’re concerned, consider talking to your doctor about trying vitamin C supplements as a natural alternative to medication.
4. Recovery from exercise
Collagen is a necessary protein when it comes to building and repairing skin, blood vessels, ligaments and tendons. Vitamin C helps create this protein in your body, in addition to repairing and maintaining your bones, teeth and cartilage.
Bonus: in women, vitamin C eases endometriosis and blood clotting during menstruation , and in men it helps keep testosterone levels nice and high .
5. Lower Stroke Risk
The silver lining when it comes to stroke is that it’s highly preventable. In fact, up to 80 percent of strokes can be offset by lifestyle factors including diet, exercise, weight and blood pressure .
One study reported that a vitamin C deficiency leads to increased hemorrhagic stroke risk. Past studies have also linked vitamin C with reduced stroke risk. (8) So stock up on those fruits and vegetables if you’re looking to lessen your stroke risk.
6. Reduced Cancer Risk
Lab studies have demonstrated that high concentrations of vitamin C may stunt the growth of many kinds of cancer, such as prostate, pancreatic, colon and liver.
Other studies have found that high doses of vitamin C taken intravenously may improve quality of life and treatment symptoms in cancer patients.
7. Awesome Skin
Vitamin C has been used throughout history to keep skin looking moist and nourished. As mentioned before, vitamin C helps in the production of collagen, the protein most associated with the maintenance of smooth, hydrated skin.
When you apply vitamin C topically to your skin, the vitamin limits the skin damage caused by free radicals and improves collagen synthesis within it.
Vitamin C is essential to all facets of your health– inside and out. We hope the seven benefits you just read about are enough to convince you to bulk up on those fruits and vegetables and never look back!