Vitamin C is one of the organic substances that our bodies require to function properly. This vitamin, known as ascorbic acid, is commonly found in fruits and vegetables, with citrus fruits, broccoli and kale being particularly high in vitamin C. Consuming vitamin C in various forms have numerous benefits for a variety of biological functions, as well as bone and tooth maintenance. Today, we’ll go over five benefits of vitamin C use that you may not be aware of.
Helps in Reducing Vision Loss
First, taking vitamin C supplements is thought to delay the progression of visual loss. This is supported by empirical studies that vitamin C can help reduce the risk of developing cataracts, a disorder that causes your eyesight to blur and makes it difficult to see.
In addition, another study further concluded that taking vitamin C pills on a regular basis may reduce the risk of cataracts by 45%. It is most likely due to the fact that vitamin C is an efficient antioxidant that can protect your eyes from free radical damage.
Minimize the Risk of Heart Failure
Heart disease, as one of the leading causes of death worldwide, should not be taken lightly. There are numerous risk factors that contribute to heart disease, but consuming vitamin C helps to reduce those risks. A meta-analysis of nine trials observed that those who consumed at least 700 mg of vitamin C daily had a 25% lower risk than those who did not consume vitamin C. Although there is limited data, the antioxidant properties have the ability to reduce the risk.
In the meantime, maintain a healthy lifestyle. Continue to consciously eat nutritious foods and get as much exercise as you can. If you’re concerned about your calorie intake, consider using a smartwatch or health apps on your smartphone to track not only your calories but also your workouts.
Strengthens the Immune System
Finally, vitamin C helps to improve the immune system. It works because vitamin C promotes the formation of white blood cells, which are extremely beneficial in the fight against illness. Increasing your vitamin C intake when you have a cold is unlikely to save you, but it may help you recover better.
Other than that, vitamin C is a vital component of the skin’s defence mechanism, as it is actively delivered to the skin and works to build its defences. If you need more reason, consuming vitamin C has also been shown to shorten the time it takes for wounds to heal.
Improve Absorption When Pair with Iron
Iron is an essential vitamin that offers multiple benefits to the body. Iron is required to transport oxygen throughout the body in addition to assisting in the formation of red blood cells. In order to improve iron absorption from the diet, vitamin C from plant-based sources such as pepper and tomatoes would be needed for this process. It is said that consuming 100 mg of vitamin C will boost iron absorption by 67%.
Besides that, vitamin C also reduces the risk of anaemia in those who are iron deficient. If you are one of them, either you take supplements or consume foods rich in vitamin C to increase the levels of iron in your blood.
Reduce the Risk of Having Chronic Disease
You should be familiar that vitamin C is high in antioxidants by now, but what exactly is an antioxidant?
Antioxidants are chemicals that help the immune system to function properly. This means it can aid in the strengthening of your body’s natural defences. The antioxidant protects cells from potentially damaging chemicals known as free radicals. When free radicals build up, they can lead to oxidative stress, which has been linked to several chronic diseases such as cancer or cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is recommended to consume vitamin C because it can increase your blood antioxidant levels by up to 30%.