6 things you didn’t know about vitamin C!

Oranges aren’t the leaders in vitamin C

Even though oranges boast a vitamin C level of 100 g (a freshly squeezed orange has 53 g), several other fruits and vegetables are even richer in vitamin C. Red peppers (101-166 mg) and green peppers (54-132 mg), kiwi fruit (70 mg) and broccoli (54 mg) are also great examples of foods rich in vitamin C.

What you can do

Vary the fruits and vegetables that you eat as much as possible in order to enjoy their benefits and their abundance of vitamins. You also won’t get tired of your diet.

Consider taking vitamin C supplements in winter

Our immune systems must be especially active in winter (when they encounter more viruses and colds), and use vitamin C extensively. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that plays a significant role in the immune defense system, helping to fight invading microbes and regenerate tissues.

What you can do

Ongoing fatigue, trouble recovering from winter viruses, and generalized pain can be symptoms of a vitamin C deficiency. Don’t wait to ask for advice and/or consider taking supplements.

Vitamin C deficiency is not unusual

Vitamin C is a hydrosoluble vitamin that you should definitely include in your diet as your body can’t store it (the kidneys excrete excess vitamin C). You should therefore be sure that you’re consuming vitamin C every day, throughout the year. And if you don’t? People who don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables are more likely to experience vitamin C deficiency.

What you can do

Eat at least 5 fruits and vegetables per day throughout the year, and start eating a healthy, varied, and balanced diet as soon as possible.

Vitamin C is fragile

Cooking partially destroys vitamin C. It is also oxidized quickly as soon as fruits and vegetables -the main suppliers of vitamin C- are exposed to open air just a little too long . Interestingly, the skins of some fruits and vegetables (including peppers, apples, and zucchini) are rich in vitamin C.

What you can do

Eat fresh fruits and vegetables soon after buying them (within 2-3 days), and store them in a cool, dark place. If you mix or press fruits, be sure to drink the juices or smoothies promptly. You can also occasionally buy organic fruits and vegetables and eat them with their skins .

Our bodies need more vitamin C when we exercise

Engaging in regular, intense exercise (at least 3-4 one-hour sessions per week) produces oxidative stress that can increase our need for vitamin C (specifically to regenerate cells). Athletes may want to consider increasing their vitamin C intake slightly (the recommended Dietary Reference Intake, or DRI, for an adult is 110 mg/day). Athletes, however, aren’t the only people who require more than the average DRI: pregnant women or nursing mothers (120 -130 mg/day), the elderly (120 mg/day), and smokers (120 mg/day) also need more vitamin C.

What you can do

Eat more fruits and vegetables or take supplements if you are in a group with a higher DRI.

Vitamin C facilitates absorption of iron

Vitamin C has specific benefits for people with an iron deficiency, or anyone who needs more iron (such as pregnant women). Eating foods rich in vitamin C with foods rich in iron helps our bodies absorb that iron.

What you can do

Plan menus so they include some foods that are rich in iron and others that are rich in vitamin C (lentils + orange juice, red meat + kiwi, and other combinations).