Vitamin C, just like other vitamins is required by the body in only a very small amount. Now, the said amount is small but it is crucial for healthy functioning. Have you been wondering about why you should take the daily recommended amount of vitamin C?
Well, the following are the 8 reasons to take vitamin C daily.
- Can treat symptoms of the common cold
Scientists are still researching whether vitamin C can prevent cold or not; however, studies do show that by incorporating vitamin C in your daily diet, you can reduce the duration of your cold and the intensity of the symptoms. This is because Vitamin C is an antihistamine by nature and can thus control allergies by reducing the histamine levels.
- Cures numerous skin problems
Vitamin C has been used over the course of human history to treat many problems that are related to the skin. Currently, Vitamin C can be found in numerous moisturizers, masks, and face packs that aim to render a natural and healthy glow to the user’s skin. Vitamin C helps to reduce wrinkles and prevents the sagging of skin. It also protects your skin from harmful UV rays, decreasing the risk of developing skin cancer.
- Helps to heal wounds
Your body heals wounds with the help of collagen, which is a protein found in the connective tissues including ligaments, muscles, tendons, and skin. The body uses vitamin C to produce collagen. Thus, vitamin C is essential in healing almost all kinds of wounds ranging from minor cuts to burns, broken bones, and deep wounds. It speeds up the process of healing thus helping you recover in less time.
- Effective against stress
Vitamin C is known to protect the consumer from negative health effects that stress is able to cause. Vitamin C makes this possible as it protects the nervous system and the brain. A sufficient amount of vitamin C is needed so that the body can synthesize stress-combating hormones such as noradrenaline and adrenaline. Both of these hormones induce a fight-or-flight reaction which is effective in combating stress.
- Reduces the level of cholesterol
Vitamin C is crucial in lowering the amount of cholesterol that is present in the blood. Vitamin C encourages the conversion of cholesterol into bile salts. The body can then easily eliminate these salts, reducing cholesterol in the process.
- Improves the flow of blood
Almost all of the damage that blood vessels have to suffer through during a heart attack is due to the improper dilation of the blood vessels because of which the flow of blood is obstructed. Angina, commonly known as chest pain, occurs because coronary arteries are unable to dilate.
Proper dilation of the coronary arteries is essential as these supply blood to the heart. According to studies, just a small amount of vitamin C daily can improve the dilation of the blood vessels in patients with high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and angina pectoris.
- Reduces risk of stroke and heart problems
Vitamin C is an efficient antioxidant. It targets all of the free radicals present in the body that can damage the wall of arteries, and in turn, increase the risk of stroke and various heart diseases. Moreover, since it also improves the circulation of blood and reduces the amount of cholesterol, vitamin C is quite effective in preventing heart diseases.
- Regulates the level of sugar in diabetic patients
Patients diagnosed with diabetes need to follow a strict diet and have to stay away from a lot of foods but, they can benefit from all the natural foods that contain vitamin C as it regulates the level of blood sugar and avoids complications due to diabetes.
You can easily introduce vitamin C in your diet through oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, and even kale and cooked Brussels sprouts.
