Vitamin C

Chances are you’ve probably heard of this common vitamin. To someone who isn’t too familiar with it, it’s most commonly known to be found in orange juice and used often times when you come down with a cold. However, there is much more to vitamin C than simply that. Let’s take a bit deeper look into the common and popular Vitamin C.
 
The most talked about benefit when it comes to Vitamin C is its ability to fight off a cold. There is some truth to this, but it’s not quite what most people think. Vitamin C is critical to the function of your immune system. It plays a key role in keeping your body healthy. However, when it comes to fighting off your current cold it isn’t quite as effective. The benefit from vitamin C is more for preventative measures than healing once the cold has hit.
 
On top of helping keep your immune system healthy, vitamin C has also been shown to help heal wounds on the body. It is essential for the production of collagen, which is present in connective tissues in the body. It can aid in healing everything from broken bones to a minor cut.
 
It has also been shown to help lower your risk of heart disease, which is the number one killer in the United States. Vitamin C is an excellent source of antioxidants which helps to fight off free radicals in the body which cause damage to arteries and increase your risk of heart disease and even stroke.
 
Vitamin C, which is a surprise to many, can be found in many other foods aside from fruit. In fact, one of the biggest sources of vitamin C is a vegetable: the bell pepper. Some other great sources include: strawberries, broccoli, pineapple, papaya, and Brussels sprouts. It’s very easy to get your required daily intake from a well balance and healthy diet.
 
When it comes to Vitamin C intake, you can’t really overdo it. Anything that your body doesn’t use will be excreted through your urine. The body will rid itself naturally so you don’t have to worry about the side effects of getting too much. Your food is the best place to get you daily vitamin C intake, but of course supplementation can be a great tool in case your diet is lacking.