Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble nutrient that is vital to
all creatures. Foods that are especially rich in vitamin C are parsley,
broccoli, bell peppers, strawberries, oranges, lemon juice, papaya,
cauliflower, kale, mustard greens and Brussels sprouts. Here are seven health
benefits of vitamin C.
Immunity
Not only is vitamin C a well-known component of your immune system, it is
also necessary for collagen, the main structural protein found in connective
tissue. A healthy dose of vitamin C will protect your body from infection and
maintain healthy bones and teeth, as well as quicken the body's ability to
repair wounds.
Common Cold
Along with its immune functions that fight against bacteria, viruses, and
infection, vitamin C also serves as an effective antihistamine that will lessen
the unpleasant effects of the common cold, including inflammation, stuffy nose
and aches.
Antioxidant
Vitamin C is a powerful and effective antioxidant that protects our
bodies from free radicals that cause oxidative stress. Excessive oxidative
stress, or "cellular rust," can lead to a host of severe medical
conditions, such as atherosclerosis that can cause both heart disease and
stroke, and is associated with many different types of cancer, including lung,
mouth, throat, colon, stomach and esophagus. Vitamin C also helps to regenerate
your supplies of vitamin E (another useful antioxidant).
Hypertension
Vitamin C has been shown to lower blood pressure, and therefore lessen
the probability of hypertension, as well as the serious health problems that
follow, such as cardiovascular disease.
Blood Vessels
Along with lowering your blood pressure, vitamin C ensures proper
dilation of blood vessels, which can prevents such diseases as atherosclerosis,
high cholesterol, congestive heart failure, and angina pectoris (a inadequate
supply of blood to the heart that causes severe chest pains).
Lead Toxicity
Vitamin C dramatically lowers your blood lead level. This is especially
important for children living in urban areas, as studies have shown that lead
toxicity can lead to behavioral and developmental problems, such as learning
disabilities and lowered IQ. Adults, moreover, may suffer from kidney damage
and high blood pressure.
Cataracts
The lens of the human eye requires vitamin C to function properly, and a
deficiency can lead to cataracts (a condition in which the lens becomes
increasingly opaque, causing blurry vision). A higher intake of vitamin C has
been shown to fight cataracts by increasing the amount of blood flow to the
eye.
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