What you need to know about vitamin C

It has a reputation as being a ‘a go-to’ when you have ills and chills, but there are many more reasons than that to keep your vitamin C levels topped up. Learn why and how to go about it.

Vitamin C facts

Vitamin C is one of the most easily recognisable vitamins and for good reason – it has a vital role to play in supporting good health and wellbeing.

And because it’s a water-soluble vitamin, your body doesn’t store it, which means it’s important to consume a certain amount of vitamin C in your diet.

But do you know which foods pack the biggest punch? And exactly what vitamin C does?

Here’s what you need to know.

What are the benefits of vitamin C?

Immunity

As you probably already know, vitamin C is important for helping the immune system and supporting recovery from ills & chills.

Skin

On top of that, other vitamin C benefits include the fact that it supports wound healing, blood vessel health and the formation of collagen, a protein that’s responsible for skin strength.

Antioxidant

Vitamin C also acts as an antioxidant

Iron Absorption

improves the absorption of the type of iron that’s found in plant-based foods like green leafy vegetables, legumes, almonds, quinoa and wholemeal bread. So, eating a vitamin-C rich food alongside any of those is a smart move.

Which foods are high in vitamin C?

Citrus fruits, particularly oranges, might be the first thing that springs to mind, but the list of vitamin C foods is actually a much longer and varied one than that.

One thing to bear in mind is that a food’s vitamin C content can be reduced by exposure to heat and oxygen.
Luckily, most vitamin C-rich foods are best enjoyed raw, but if you do cook them, strive for ‘lightly cooked’, with steaming and microwaving having been identified as the cooking methods that minimise losses best.
Either way, don’t cut a ‘vitamin C food’ up too far in advance before you plan to eat it.

How much vitamin C do you need?

Official guidelines recommend that children aged between one and eight years old should consume 35 mg of vitamin C a day, jumping up to 40mg a day for those aged up to 18 years. Adults should aim for 45 mg a day .
For most people, eating a healthy, well-balanced and varied diet – rich in fruit and vegetables – will provide adequate amounts of vitamin C for general health and wellbeing.
However, while vitamin C deficiency is rare, some people are at a higher risk, including those who smoke or have difficulty maintaining a healthy diet.  
At times where your dietary intake may be inadequate and to help support your immune function, a vitamin C supplement may be of benefit and can help to reduce the severity and duration of ills and chills. 
You might also like to support your immune health by whipping up a batch of vitamin C bliss balls. Packed with vitamin C-rich ingredients, they’re nutritious and delicious. 

Disclaimer

Always read the label and use as directed. Vitamins and minerals are supplementary to and not a replacement for a balanced diet. If symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional. Blackmores, Auckland, New Zealand.