Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that cannot be produced by the body. This vitamin is found in many fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, kiwi, oranges, guava, broccoli, spinach, and many more.
Many theories are circulating that vitamin C can be relied upon when you have the flu. In addition, many other benefits can be obtained from vitamin C, such as maintaining immunity, repairing tissue damage, and warding off free radicals.
Benefits of vitamin C
- Improve immunity
Since the pandemic, many people have bought up vitamin C supplements to reserve an immune booster at home. Vitamin C does play a role in improving the body's resistance through several mechanisms.
Vitamin C works by triggering the production of lymphocytes and phagocytes, which the body needs to fight infection. Not only that, but vitamin C can also protect these cells from damage caused by free radicals.
- Reducing uric acid levels in the blood
The formation of uric acid crystals in the joints can cause excruciating pain. Usually, someone who is attacked by gout experiences swelling and a feeling of warmth due to inflammation.
A study shows that the administration of vitamin C is associated with a decrease in uric acid concentration in serum. This is because vitamin C works to increase uric acid excretion so that the formation of crystals that lead to kidney stones can be prevented.
- Prevents iron deficiency anemia
Iron deficiency causes the circulation of oxygen to the body's tissues to be hampered. However, the consumption of vitamin C is known to encourage the absorption of iron from food.
Vitamin C works to convert iron that was previously difficult to absorb, such as non-heme iron from plant sources, into a form that is more easily absorbed. This is very beneficial for people who avoid meat consumption.
- Prevents blood pressure from soaring
Various studies have shown that vitamin C can help lower blood pressure in both normal and high blood pressure. This effect arises because vitamin C can act as a diuretic that works to release excess fluid in the body so that blood pressure is maintained.
If you have high blood pressure, there's nothing wrong with adding vitamin C to your daily menu.
- Reducing the risk of chronic disease
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can increase the body's defense against inflammation. This effect occurs because vitamin C works to protect cells from harmful molecules such as free radicals. Free radicals that accumulate in the body will cause oxidative stress associated with various chronic diseases.
- Rejuvenate skin
Now people flock to buy collagen supplements to prevent aging and rejuvenate the skin. The reason is that as we age, collagen production decreases. Therefore, taking collagen supplements is an option.
But did you know that actually collagen production can be boosted with vitamin C?
Without vitamin C, the body cannot produce collagen. This vitamin also plays a role in protecting skin cells from free radical damage.
- Accelerates wound healing
The wound healing process requires protein, one of which is collagen. Decreased collagen production causes wound healing to take longer than it should. This is where vitamin C helps stimulate the production, maturation, and release of collagen in injured tissue.
It turns out that there are many benefits of vitamin C as known as ascorbic acid. So, the theory that vitamin C can prevent colds is true or not?
Studies show that vitamin C can relieve symptoms and speed up the healing of colds. However, this effect is only seen in those who are experiencing the flu. Meanwhile, the theory that vitamin C can prevent the flu is still not proven.