
What Are The Benefits Of Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)?
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a powerful antioxidant and essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in numerous bodily functions. It's renowned for its immune-boosting properties, but its benefits extend far beyond that. As our bodies can't produce or store vitamin C, we need to replenish it daily through our diet.
- Immune system support: it boosts immune function and helps fight off infections.
- Collagen production: it's crucial for the formation of collagen, which is vital for skin, bones, and connective tissues.
- Antioxidant protection: it neutralizes harmful free radicals, protecting cells from damage.
- Iron absorption: it enhances the absorption of iron from plant-based foods.
- Wound healing: it promotes tissue repair and wound healing.
NIH (National Institutes of Health) recommends the daily intake of vitamin C, it varies across different life stages:
- Children 4-8 years: 25 mg vitamin C
- Children 9-13 years: 45 mg vitamin C
- Teens 14-18 years (boys): 75 mg vitamin C
- Teens 14-18 years (girls): 65 mg vitamin C
- Adult men: 90 mg vitamin C
- Adult women: 75 mg vitamin C
- Pregnant women: 85 mg vitamin C
- Breastfeeding women: 120 mg vitamin C
- Smokers: need an additional 35 mg/day to the above recommendations
Important Note: while vitamin C is generally safe, excessive intake from supplements can cause digestive issues.
Where Can You Find Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)?
Vitamin C is abundant in a variety of fruits and vegetables, making it easy to incorporate into your daily meals. Let's explore the vibrant and delicious foods that can help you meet your vitamin C needs. According to the USDA database:
- Guava (3.5oz/100g): 228 mg vitamin C
- Kiwifruit, ZESPRI SunGold (3.5oz/100g): 161 mg vitamin C
- Orange bell pepper (3.5oz/100g): 158 mg vitamin C
- Red bell pepper (3.5oz/100g): 142 mg vitamin C
- Yellow bell pepper (3.5oz/100g): 139 mg vitamin C
- Red sweet pepper (3.5oz/100g): 128 mg vitamin C
- Arugula, baby (3.5oz/100g): 101 mg vitamin C
- Green bell pepper (3.5oz/100g): 99.5 mg vitamin C
- Tahitian taro (3.5oz/100g): 96 mg vitamin C
- Kale (3.5oz/100g): 93.4 mg vitamin C
- Kiwifruit, green (3.5oz/100g): 92.7 mg vitamin C
- Broccoli (3.5oz/100g): 89.2 mg vitamin C
- Green sweet pepper (3.5oz/100g): 80.4 mg vitamin C
- Jujube (3.5oz/100g): 69 mg vitamin C
- Garden cress (3.5oz/100g): 69 mg vitamin C
- Papaya (3.5oz/100g): 60.9 mg vitamin C
- Turnip greens (3.5oz/100g): 60 mg vitamin C
- Strawberry (3.5oz/100g): 59.6 mg vitamin C
- Navel orange (3.5oz/100g): 59.1 mg vitamin C
- Pineapple (3.5oz/100g): 58.6 mg vitamin C
- Red cabbage (3.5oz/100g): 53.9 mg vitamin C
- Orange (3.5oz/100g): 53.2 mg vitamin C
- Lemon (3.5oz/100g): 53 mg vitamin C
- Lotus root (3.5oz/100g): 44 mg vitamin C
- Kumquat (3.5oz/100g): 43.9 mg vitamin C
- Watercress (3.5oz/100g): 43 mg vitamin C
- Cabbage (3.5oz/100g): 36.6 mg vitamin C
- Mango (3.5oz/100g): 36.4 mg vitamin C
- Collard greens (3.5oz/100g): 35.3 mg vitamin C
- Dandelion greens (3.5oz/100g): 35 mg vitamin C
- Grapefruit (3.5oz/100g): 34.4 mg vitamin C
- Carambola / starfruit (3.5oz/100g): 34.4 mg vitamin C
- Feijoa (3.5oz/100g): 32.9 mg vitamin C
- Butterbur / fuki (3.5oz/100g): 31.5 mg vitamin C
- Spinach (3.5oz/100g): 30.3 mg vitamin C
- Passion-fruit juice (3.5oz/100g): 29.8 mg vitamin C
- Chinese broccoli (3.5oz/100g): 29.6 mg vitamin C
- Lime (3.5oz/100g): 29.1 mg vitamin C
- Radishes, white icicle (3.5oz/100g): 29 mg vitamin C
- Grape tomato (3.5oz/100g): 27.2 mg vitamin C
- Kuri / Japanese chestnut (3.5oz/100g): 26.3 mg vitamin C
- Raspberry (3.5oz/100g): 26.2 mg vitamin C
- Potato, gold (3.5oz/100g): 23.3 mg vitamin C
- Okra (3.5oz/100g): 23 mg vitamin C
- Potato, red (3.5oz/100g): 21.3 mg vitamin C
- Blackberry (3.5oz/100g): 21 mg vitamin C
- Turnip (3.5oz/100g): 21 mg vitamin C
- Soursop (3.5oz/100g): 20.6 mg vitamin C
- Cassava (3.5oz/100g): 20.6 mg vitamin C
- Summer squash, zucchini (3.5oz/100g): 17.9 mg vitamin C
- Roma tomato (3.5oz/100g): 17.8 mg vitamin C
- Honeydew (3.5oz/100g): 15.7 mg vitamin C
- Lettuce, green leaf (3.5oz/100g): 15.2 mg vitamin C
- Sweet potato (3.5oz/100g): 14.8 mg vitamin C
- Sapodilla (3.5oz/100g): 14.7 mg vitamin C
- Mung bean (3.5oz/100g): 13.2 mg vitamin C
- Natto (3.5oz/100g): 13 mg vitamin C
- Fennel (3.5oz/100g): 12 mg vitamin C
- Leek (3.5oz/100g): 12 mg vitamin C
- Cantaloupe (3.5oz/100g): 10.9 mg vitamin C
- Cherry (3.5oz/100g): 10.4 mg vitamin C
- Pomegranate (3.5oz/100g): 10.2 mg vitamin C
- Avocado (3.5oz/100g): 10 mg vitamin C
- Plum (3.5oz/100g): 9.5 mg vitamin C
- Lettuce, red leaf (3.5oz/100g): 9.3 mg vitamin C
- Asparagus (3.5oz/100g): 9.2 mg vitamin C
- Banana (3.5oz/100g): 8.7 mg vitamin C
- Blueberry (3.5oz/100g): 8.1 mg vitamin C
- Chayote (3.5oz/100g): 7.7 mg vitamin C
- Corn (3.5oz/100g): 6.8 mg vitamin C
- Soybean (3.5oz/100g): 6 mg vitamin C
- Bartlett pear (3.5oz/100g): 4.4 mg vitamin C
- Yellow peach (3.5oz/100g): 4.1 mg vitamin C
- Red grape (3.5oz/100g): 3.3 mg vitamin C
- Apricot (3.5oz/100g): 3.1 mg vitamin C
- Green grape (3.5oz/100g): 3 mg vitamin C
- Nectarine (3.5oz/100g): 2.9 mg vitamin C