Vitamin C and Its Astounding Benefits

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, 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

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that may protect your eyes against damaging free radicals.

Vitamin C and several other nutrients are used in the supplement AREDS, which may benefit those with AMD. When taken daily, one study suggests that AREDS may reduce the risk of this condition progressing by 25% .

In addition, vitamin C is required to make collagen, a protein that provides structure to your eye, particularly in the cornea and sclera.

Several observational studies suggest that vitamin C may help lower your risk of developing cataracts, a condition that causes your eye to become cloudy and impairs vision.

For example, one observational study showed a 75% reduced risk of developing cataracts when the daily vitamin C intake was above 490 mg, compared to 125 mg or less.

Another study found that regular vitamin C supplements may reduce the risk of cataracts by 45% .

Good sources of vitamin C

Vitamin C is found in a wide variety of fruit and vegetables.

Good sources include:

• citrus fruit, such as oranges and orange juice

• peppers

• strawberries

• blackcurrants

• broccoli

• brussels sprouts

• potatoes
  

This post originally posted by Healthline.