5 Health Benefits Of Consuming Vitamin C

Doctors and even dieticians advice women to get a daily dose of vitamin C through either natural source such as fruits or by popping a tablet of the vitamin. The reason behind – this vital micro-nutrient is an important component to not only cure but also prevent various health issues.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient that keeps the body functioning. Found in foods and dietary supplements, it aids in many biological functions, including the synthesis of collagen, the healing of wounds, and the repair and maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, meaning that it can neutralize free radicals that damage cells at the genetic level.

Vitamin C has been used historically to prevent or treat scurvy and other illnesses associated with vitamin C deficiency. Today, it is widely touted as a natural defense against the common cold. Although vitamin C is considered to be an "immune booster," there is little evidence that taking it can actually prevent or treat an infection.

Good sources of vitamin C can be found in fruits and vegetable, especially citrus fruits.

* Help Tackling High Blood Pressure

Studies have claimed that increase in daily intake of vitamin C has helped people to lower their blood pressure. It is said that vitamin C may act like an diuretic agent, which reduces water retention in the body. This helps the kidneys to remove more amounts of sodium and water from the blood vessels, which help the walls of the blood vessels to relax effectively.

* Reduces Inflammation Of Heart’s Arteries

Collagen is a structural protein in our skin and other connective tissues. Basically, it is the protein made by our body to ‘glue’ all the cells and tissues together in our body. To reduce inflammation in our heart’s arteries, our body has to produce collagen in adequate amount which is possible by a good amount of intake of vitamin C.

* Lowers Risk Of Dementia

Vitamin C is a very good antioxidant. Antioxidants are known to lower the risk of dementia and delay the process of cognitive ageing. Vitamin C dissolves amyloid plaques, which are dementia-causing toxic protein in our brain.

* Help Prevent Iron Deficiency

Doctors always recommend taking iron supplements with supplements of vitamin C because the latter helps our body to absorb iron effectively. Vitamin C also helps to synthesis red blood cells in our blood – another beneficial relation between iron and vitamin C, since iron is one of the major components of our blood.

* Protecting Against Gout Attack

Gout is a disease in which defective metabolism or unhealthy increase in the level of uric acid in our body that leads to arthritis. Increase in the intake of vitamin C reduces the level of uric acid in our body. This indirectly reduces the risk of gout attack.