Vitamin C - REAL Health Benefits

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is possibly the most well known vitamin. It performs a variety of vital functions for healthy living.


Vitamin C is an truly valuable vitamin as it plays a part in many, many body functions, including maintaining and repairing body tissue; strengthening blood vessels; and absorbing calcium in order to assist in the formation of bones and teeth, and hair, as it is found in carrots.  It also helps to maintain resistance to infections and lowers levels of blood cholesterol. In addition, it aids the absorption of iron from food so that it can be utilized by the body, thus preventing anaemia. Because vitamin C is water-soluble, this affects the body in that the body is unable to store it, so the supply must be replenished daily either from high vitamin C foods or from supplements, which are easily found in health food stores.

A lot of Vitamin C is found in carrots, oranges, preferably those rich in colour, but a point to remember is that we gain a good amount of the nutrient from potatoes, they are generally NOT a high vitamin C food source, however, potatoes are imporatant because they are often eaten in large quantities.


The RNI* for vitamin C for an average adult is 40mg per day.

Consult your doctor before increasing intake of any nutrient or changing your diet in any way!