THE STRONG ANTIOXIDANT VITAMIN C
It is one of the best known vitamins in the world, vitamin C. It is an essential vitamin for keeping and maintaining our bodies in good health. This is often known, but nowadays, we don't get enough nutrients for a long time. Mainly because of our diet, mineral-poor soil and our stressed lifestyle. And that is a shame! Because the strong antioxidant, vitamin C brings many benefits.
What is vitamin C?
Everyone knows vitamin C (ascorbic acid), but what is it exactly? Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that can be found in fruits, vegetables and potatoes. Especially in cabbages, citrus fruit, kiwis, berries and strawberries. It is an essential vitamin for humans to be able to function properly, but the human body cannot produce it itself. To stay healthy, therefore, it is important to eat products rich in vitamin C every day or to take supplements.
The discovery of vitamin C
The scurvy disease goes back a long way in history, but around the 16th century sailors discovered a solution to combat the disease. The solution you probably already guessed: vitamin C. It turned out that sailors who ate citrus fruits and fresh vegetables on a daily basis no longer got scurvy. It was only much later that it became known that this disease was linked to a serious lack of vitamin C, but since then we know how important it is for our body.
What does vitamin C do in your body?
We can't mention it often enough, but vitamin C is very important for a good immune system. Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant that supports the body in the formation of connective tissue, the absorption of iron and the maintenance of resistance.
It balances your nervous system and helps you release energy from fat, carbohydrates and proteins.
Insufficient vitamin C in our body causes reduced resistance. Think of wounds that heal less quickly, flaky skin, painful joints, cellulitis and inflammations. But an excess of vitamin C can lead to intestinal complaints or diarrhea. The right balance is therefore important: the recommended amount is 75 milligrams on average.
Vitamin C also plays a very important role as a co-factor in the body. A co-factor ensures that a vitamin or a mineral allows other substances in our body to work together, so that they can do their work as efficiently as possible. If your intake of vitamin C is too low, other vitamins and minerals are also poorly absorbed by your body.
The strong antioxidant vitamin C and cancer
Scientific studies show that vitamin C inhibits the growth of cancer cells. Especially in oral and digestive cancers, claims Jane Hidgon, a nutritionist at Oregon State University. Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant that can stabilize unstable oxygen molecules. And the more oxygenated our bodies are, the less chance there is for harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses to develop.
Vitamin C and stress
Today, many of us live stressful lives. And stress, in whatever form, increases the need for vitamin C. Animals produce vitamin C themselves when they are stressed, but our bodies unfortunately cannot. Therefore, if you experience daily stress, it is important to take vitamin C supplements if you cannot get it from food.
Scientifically proven benefits of vitamin C
That vitamin C is important for good health is obvious. The strong antioxidant brings many benefits:
- It protects you against oxidative damage
- It is good for your blood vessels, bones and cartilage.
- Good for your iron level in your blood
- Good for your immune system
- It is good for your skin, mouth and teeth.
- Good for your nervous system
- Supports your energy levels and helps with fatigue
- Ensures that other vitamins and minerals are also well absorbed
