Vitamin C and immunity go hand in hand and have a direct correlation with each other. It is probably the best known and ‘go-to vitamin’ to prevent and treat the common cold.
Know Your Vitamin:
Vitamin C or Ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, which can be readily oxidized. It cannot be synthesized endogenously and therefore needs to be replenished on a daily basis.
Vitamin C plays a crucial role in various bodily functions:
- Vitamin C acts as a potent antioxidant that helps to repair and protect cells from free radical damage and thereby builds a strong immune system.
- It helps to prevent and treat the common cold and many other infections.
- It plays an important role in the formation of collagen to maintain healthy skin, bone and teeth.
- Vitamin C plays an important role that boosts the absorption of non-heme iron.
- It also aids in wound healing.
Deficiency of Vitamin C can lead to scurvy. Symptoms usually manifest as impaired wound healing, edema, hemorrhages, swelling and bleeding of the gums, lethargy, weakness of the bone, cartilage, teeth and connective tissue. Smoking and a diet deficient in fruits and vegetables can be a major cause of vitamin C deficiency.
It is rare to have a toxicity of Vitamin C, however, in case of excess, it gets flushed off from the body through urine or may lead to gastrointestinal disturbances and diarrhea.
Vitamin C Friendly Foods:
Vegetables: kale, broccoli, bell peppers (particularly yellow), brussels sprout.
Fruits: amla, kiwi, guava, oranges, citrus fruits, strawberries, papaya, black currant, pineapple.
Dry pulses and beans do not have vitamin C but when they are allowed to germinate and sprout, vitamin C is formed.
Atmospheric oxidation, drying, and heating destroys Vitamin C easily. As far as possible, consume fruits and vegetables that are raw and freshly cut to avail the maximum amount of vitamin C.
So, next time you have a dull day and have no clue of what to do, just brighten up with these yellow, orange, green hues and pep up your system with this Magical Immune Builder.
Click on link below for CURO Recipes:
