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Tuesday 20 April 2021

Vitamin C an essential nutrient

Vitamins and minerals are nutrients your body needs in small amounts to work properly and stay healthy. Most people should get all the nutrients they need by having a varied and balanced diet, although some people may need to take extra supplements. 

This article looks at:-
"Vitamin C, which is also known as ascorbic acid, and has several important functions.
These include:
helping to protect cells and keeping them healthy
maintaining healthy skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage
helping with wound healing

Lack of vitamin C can lead to scurvy.

Good sources of vitamin C
Vitamin C is found in a wide variety of fruit and vegetables.
Berries
Blackcurrants
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cantaloupe
Cauliflower
Grapefruit
Kiwi fruit
Leafy greens
Mango
Oranges
Orange Juice
Papaya
Peppers
Pineapple
Potatoes
Tomatoes
Squash
Strawberries
Watermelon

Some examples of foods containing high levels of vitamin C. Image from here

How much vitamin C do I need?
Adults aged 19 to 64 need 40mg of vitamin C a day.

You should be able to get all the vitamin C you need from your daily diet.

Vitamin C cannot be stored in the body, so you need it in your diet every day.

What happens if I take too much vitamin C?
Taking large amounts (more than 1,000mg per day) of vitamin C can cause:
stomach pain
diarrhoea
flatulence

These symptoms should disappear once you stop taking vitamin C supplements.

What does the Department of Health and Social Care advise?
You should be able to get all the vitamin C you need by eating a varied and balanced diet.

If you take vitamin C supplements, do not take too much as this could be harmful.

Taking less than 1,000mg of vitamin C supplements a day is unlikely to cause any harm."
The above information taken from article here

The above is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local health care provider.

Related Post
Leafy Green Vegetables, so healthy - read more here


Regular readers will know … there is a variety of articles and recipe ideas within this blog, but please note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

27 comments:

Magic Love Crow said...

Good post Jan! Thank you! Big Hugs!

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Always good information here. Thank you, Jan and Eddie.

Christine said...

Good information thanks.

J.P. Alexander said...

A mi me gusta mucho las naranjas fuentes de vitamina c. Gracias por la entrada muy completa.

William Kendall said...

Quite informative.

Tom said...

...I believe that I get what I need.

Martha said...

Great post! I don't take supplements. I try my best to get what I need sticking with a simple Mediterranean lifestyle.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I seem to crave oranges in winter, so I'm sure it is because I need the extra vitamin C. I do take a supplement of it every day, as well as vitamin D.

peppylady (Dora) said...

I didn't know squash had vitamin C
Coffee is on and stay safe

Elephant's Child said...

I think/hope that I do get enough of this important vitamin.

Jo said...

I'm sure I must get my quota, I eat plenty from that list.

Valerie-Jael said...

Thanks for the information. Valerie

Sue said...

I knew that you had to have your Vitamin C daily as it's not stored, but I didn't know the side effects of too much. Thanks for the article Jan xx

Debbie said...

i prefer getting vitamins in the foods i eat, and i am doing fine here. probably not too much and not too little!!

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderfully informative post ~ XX

Living moment by moment,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Divers and Sundry said...

Good information, thanks!

Anonymous said...

I take a Vitamin C now and then, especially if I feel like I'm coming down sick.

happyone said...

Lots of good and tasty sources for vitamin C.

Hilly Nicolay said...

Learned a lot about vitamins.
thank you.

Hilly

Snowbird said...

Useful and informative post Jan.xxx

At Home In New Zealand said...

I'm a great fan of vitamin C supplements when I feel a cold coming on - they work for me, but never worked for my husband. He would take garlic, which worked for him but not for me. Just shows that we are all different in our makeup and what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another!

Conniecrafter said...

I didn't realize how much has vitamin D, I think I get plenty just from my diet :)

Jeanie said...

I'm glad vitamin C is good for you because just about everything that holds it is a favorite of mine!

baili said...

everything you mentioned is my favorite of mine dear Jan

though forgive my ignorance that i did not know that leafy greens also provide vitamin C

amazing post and really useful knowledge

Teresa said...

Siempre interesante. Besos.

Carla from The River said...

Another great post, thank you Jan!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

We regularly eat most of what is on your list!