FACTS ABOUT VITAMIN C

Recharge Vitamin C Drink

WHY DO WE NEED VITAMIN C?

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, has a wide variety of uses in the body. It helps to slow down or prevent cell damage. It is needed to maintain healthy body tissues and the immune system. Vitamin C also helps the body absorb iron from plant foods.

What happens if we don’t get enough vitamin C?

Vitamin C is found in many foods we eat and deficiency is rare. Scurvy, the disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, was common generations ago. Seamen who lived at sea for months at a time and ate no fresh fruits or vegetables often got scurvy. Today, scurvy is rare in the U.S., but not getting enough of this vitamin may lead to anemia, bleeding gums, infections, dry and splitting hair, and poor wound healing.

How should foods be prepared to retain vitamin C?

Vitamin C is easily destroyed during preparation, cooking, or storage. To retain vitamin C, follow these tips:

Eat fresh fruits and vegetables as soon as possible after buying them.

Cut vegetables just before eating or cooking.

Cook vitamin C-rich foods quickly in as little water as possible.

Microwave, steam, or stir-fry to retain the most vitamin C; do not overcook.