Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that has been extensively studied for its role in disease prevention and treatment. It can be found in citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes, broccoli, green peppers and cabbage. Vitamin C also helps the body form collagen, which strengthens bones and connective tissues such as cartilage and ligaments. Vitamin C fruits or supplements consumption can help with the prevention of many diseases, and in this article, we will highlight some of them.
- CVD: Vitamin C helps with the formation of collagen in cardiovascular tissue. It is vital to maintain healthy blood vessels, which transport oxygenated blood throughout our bodies and remove waste products from tissues. Not getting enough vitamin c can cause heart disease because the inner lining of the arteries becomes damaged due to a lack of collagen. The body cannot manufacture its own Vitamin C, so it is vital that this nutrient be included in the diet.
- Cancer: There are several ways that vitamin c can help with cancer prevention and cure. The first way has to do with oxidation damage to DNA cells caused by free radicals, which are also responsible for chronic diseases like heart disease or stroke. This same oxidative damage can contribute to the development of cancer, making antioxidants like vitamin c very important in helping prevent and cure cancer. In addition, when given intravenously, it has been shown that Vitamin C is able to help eliminate malignant cells from a patient’s body without damaging healthy ones.
- Influenza: The common cold virus cannot survive in high concentrations of Vitamin C. If you are currently experiencing symptoms of a cold, try increasing your intake of vitamin c rich foods to help fight the virus faster.
- Psoriasis: Vitamin C is needed to produce collagen, which strengthens the skin and holds it together. Since psoriasis causes a breakdown of this tissue, having enough vitamin c in your diet can help with this disease by rebuilding healthy skin cells.
- Glaucoma: Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. The intraocular pressure (IOP) can be lowered with Vitamin C treatment; therefore, it has been used as a therapy for glaucoma treatment in some areas.
- Atherosclerosis: Vitamin C can help lower LDL cholesterol levels in atherosclerosis patients by reducing the oxidative stress that contributes to this disease. It is the disease in which blood vessels are damaged by fatty deposits called plaque.
Which Foods Are The Foods High in Vitamin C?
You can maintain an adequate amount of vitamin C in your body by taking the right diet. Some of the vitamin C fruits and vegetables include:
- Kakadu Plums
- Acerola Cherries
- Rose Hips
- Chilli Peppers
- Guavas
- Sweet Yellow Peppers
- Blackcurrants
- Thyme
- Parsley
- Mustard Spinach
- Kale
- Kiwis
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Lemons
- Lychees
- Persimmons
- Papayas
- Strawberries
- Oranges
What is Vitamin C Deficiency?
Vitamin C like Kiwi fruit benefits are necessary for the development of collagen, which is a protein that provides structure to your skin. Vitamin C deficiency can cause scurvy or anaemia. Your body also needs vitamin C in order to absorb iron from plant-based foods, and it protects you against free radicals produced by smoking cigarettes, alcohol consumption, pollution and toxins present in the food you eat.
The symptoms associated with vitamin c deficiency include:
- Scurvy (severe) includes:
- Early signs of scurvy include:
- Swelling and bleeding gums which can lead to loosening or falling off of teeth.
- Bleeding under the skin, which causes a person’s skin to take on a rough texture and appear dry. The legs may ache and swell due to excess fluid in tissues (edema).
- Angular cheilitis is inflammation of the corners of the mouth.
- Bleeding from body openings such as gums, nose, and urinary tract may also occur. Bleeding in the tongue may cause a person to have difficulty swallowing or breathing due to swelling at the back part of the throat called epiglottitis.
- Necrosis of the jaw bone is a serious but rare complication.
- Purpura is a serious condition in which small purple spots appear on the surface of the skin. It occurs when blood vessels leak fluid into tissues under the skin.
- Infections due to open sores or ulcers may occur, causing fever and chills. These infections can be very dangerous for infants who are deficient in vitamin C as they can be fatal.
Vitamin C deficiency can cause a wide range of health conditions. It is therefore essential to treat the condition with supplements and fruits like Kiwi fruit benefits as soon as you start noticing it. The sooner the treatment begins, the better for your body, and less damage will be done in that case.