Vitamin C is one of the 13 essential vitamins that our bodies require to function properly and maximise our overall health. Many processes in the body are supported by vitamin C Benefits …but, what does Vitamin C do? and why do we need it?
In short, Vitamin C contributes to the growth and maintenance of healthy body tissues and helps boost our immune system, making it brilliant for avoiding and recovering from winter illnesses. These are the most commonly known benefits of Vitamin C…So, how else can our bodies benefit from Vitamin C?
Let’s explore just that:
Healthier Hearts
Vitamin C has been known to improve various heart-related concerns such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It has been studied that when taking the recommended amount of Vitamin C it aided in the relaxation of blood vessels which our bodies use to transport blood around the body from the heart. This relaxation lowers blood pressure which can help the body decrease the chances of developing heart complications such as heart disease.
Healthier Skin
Vitamin C is largely responsible for our bodies ability to successfully produce collagen, a protein in our bodies that occurs within our connective tissues as well as our nails, skin, and even hair. You probably recognise the word collagen from skincare adverts known for promoting its anti-aging properties in serums, creams and lotions. But what is Collagen? It is the primary structural protein within our bodies’ connective tissues and the most common protein found inside us. So, what does Vitamin C do to help? It essentially acts as the glue which makes the two enzymes needed come together and create collagen, when taken regularly Vitamin C enables your body to produce more collagen. This boost in collagen can help your skin stay looking supple and young but more importantly, it keeps your skin healthy and helps your body heal wounds.
Better Immunity
Our immune systems are our first defences against illness so it’s important to keep this fighting fit and functioning properly, particularly in the winter months when we are prone to more bugs and infections. Vitamin C does this in three ways, protecting our bodies against tissue damage, helping our bodies to intercept and kill negative microbes, and preventing the effects that stress can have on our bodies.
Vitamin C is not a cure for illnesses, but it does help our bodies tackle these with more efficiency and helps us get back on our feet faster!
Stronger Bones
Vitamin C contributes to the development and maintenance of our bones, keeping these healthy and strong. As well as this it helps maintain our teeth and cartilage, this is due to its importance in our production of collagen. Collagen is found within our bones, teeth, and cartilage as well as our skin and gums, so there are a number of reasons to take vitamin C and stronger bones are definitely one of them!
More Energy
Feeling more fatigued than usual? struggling to find the energy to motivate yourself? Cue some Vitamin C.
Studies have shown that Vitamin C helps the body not only with boosting our immune defences but that it can help us with our energy levels too.
This is down to its role in Iron absorption, which helps our bodies to prevent anemia, of which one of the many symptoms is exhaustion and low energy. Iron occurs much more commonly in our diet, but unfortunately in many cases, vitamin C is the key that enables our body to access this all-important nutrient. So, combining the two either through diet or additional supplements you will see your energy levels increase enabling you to get more out of your day.
Better Vision
As Vitamin C helps our bodies to create collagen, this can help our eyesight in the long run. This is due to the collagen found within the structure of our eyes, the cornea, and sclera to be precise. Keeping collagen levels maintained and allowing our bodies to create it properly can help prevent age-related conditions such as cataracts and worsening vision.
So there you have it!
An abundance of reasons why your body’s crying out for Vitamin C and how we can help our bodies to perform at their best.
Remember, supplements are not a replacement for a healthy and varied diet but can help us boost our diets and get the most out of the foods we fuel our bodies with. Supplements might not be right for everyone, and you must consult your doctor if you want to incorporate these into your diet and your lifestyle.
