What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble essential vitamin that the body cannot produce or store. That’s why you need a daily supply through food or supplements to support healthy growth, tissue repair, and overall wellbeing.
Known for its strong antioxidant powers, vitamin C helps shield your cells from free radical damage, which can speed up ageing and lead to various health concerns. By reducing this oxidative stress, vitamin C plays a key role in keeping your body protected, energetic, and functioning at its best.
Vitamin C Deficiency
You’re more likely to have low vitamin C if you don’t eat enough fruits and veggies, or if you smoke or drink alcohol often. These habits can reduce your body’s vitamin C levels and increase the risk of deficiency.
Common signs of low vitamin C include:
- Rough or scaly skin
- Easy bruising
- Slow wound healing
- Bleeding gums
- Frequent infections
- Tooth loss
Key Benefits of Vitamin C
Vitamin C plays an essential role in keeping your body healthy and functioning well. It helps your body carry out many day-to-day processes, supports overall wellness, and keeps you feeling your best. Since your body can’t make it on its own, getting enough vitamin C daily is important for maintaining good health.
Its key benefits include:
a) Immune defence: Vitamin C supports your body’s natural defence system by stimulating the production and activity of white blood cells. These immune cells help your body identify and fight off harmful germs, keeping you better protected from common infections
b) Antioxidant boost: As a strong antioxidant, vitamin C helps neutralise free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage your cells. By reducing this oxidative stress, vitamin C helps lower the risk of premature ageing and supports overall wellness.
c) Collagen production: Your body needs vitamin C to produce collagen, the protein responsible for giving structure and strength to your skin, tendons, cartilage, bones, ligaments, and blood vessels. With consistent vitamin C intake, these tissues stay strong, firm, and healthy.
d) Wound healing: Adequate vitamin C levels help your body repair damaged tissues more effectively. It supports the formation of new connective tissue, speeds up recovery, and promotes healthier skin repair after cuts, scrapes, or injuries.
e) Skin radiance: Vitamin C is known for its brightening effects on the skin. It helps reduce dullness, supports a more even skin tone, and leaves your complexion looking fresher and more radiant.
