All vitamins and minerals are vital for the normal functioning of the body, but only a few stand out as much as Vitamin C.
Vitamin C has a reputation as an antioxidant, but it is also critical in the functioning of immune cells.
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C, also referred to as ascorbate, or L-ascorbic acid, has the properties of a weak sugar acid and a structure similar to that of glucose.
Most of the benefits of Vitamin C are associated with its antioxidant effects and it plays a number of roles in all the systems of your body.
As an antioxidant, the vitamin acts as a scavenger of destructive molecules such as ‘reactive oxygen species’ or ROS.
These free ROS molecules appear as byproducts of metabolic processes and increase during strenuous exercise or long periods of stress.
By fighting these molecules, Vitamin C is able to offer a wide range of health benefits.
There are dozens of proven ways that Vitamin C is beneficial to your health. Here are some of the most important:
Vitamin C Improves Your Mood
Vitamin C can increase the amount of oxytocin the body releases, which has a positive impact on your mood and your emotions.
Oxytocin evens out various hormones in your body and reduces cortisol levels.
Furthermore, studies suggest that with vitamin C supplementation, there is a 35 percent decline in mood disturbances among patients in a hospital.
So, if you want to improve your mood, have a Kiwi which is packed with over 65mg of Vitamin C.
Vitamin C Keeps Anxiety at Bay
Vitamin C reduces anxiety by balancing out the hormones in your body.
A study done on high school students revealed that Vitamin C significantly reduces anxiety.
The study also revealed that only a small amount of vitamin C is needed to get rid of anxiety.
In a different study, vitamin C supplementation was used to lower anxiety levels in diabetes patients. By monitoring the levels of ascorbic acid in the diabetics’ blood, doctors were able to administer the right amount of ascorbic acid to ease anxiety.
If you’re looking for a way to feel calmer, cook up a cup of Brussel sprouts which contains 75 mg of Vitamin C.
Vitamin C Reduces Fatigue
One of the most common short-term symptoms of inadequate vitamin C is fatigue.
However, according to studies, office workers who received Vitamin C were able to reduce their fatigue significantly in just a matter of hours.
So, if you’re feeling tired, grab a cup of strawberries which are packed with 85 mg of Vitamin C.
Final Thoughts
Vitamin C is a vital component to your overall health. The good news is that there are plenty of tasty foods that contain high levels of Vitamin C including: strawberries, kiwis, oranges, lemons and limes.
