What does vitamin C do?
Vitamin C helps the body make collagen for skin, blood vessels and wound healing. It also helps absorb iron from plant foods, supports the immune system and acts as an antioxidant.
Collagen is a protein that gives strength to skin, tendons, cartilage, gums and blood vessels. The body needs vitamin C to make it. Vitamin C also helps the body absorb non-heme iron, the kind found in beans, lentils and spinach, and it protects cells from damage as an antioxidant.
Humans cannot make vitamin C, unlike most animals, so we must get it from food. Good sources include citrus fruits, kiwis, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, tomatoes and potatoes. Cooking can destroy some vitamin C, so raw or lightly cooked fruits and vegetables provide the most.
Scurvy
A severe lack of vitamin C causes scurvy, which leads to bleeding gums, loose teeth, bruising and poor wound healing. It was once common among sailors on long voyages. In 1747, Scottish doctor James Lind showed that citrus fruits could cure it, and British sailors later received lemon or lime juice, earning them the nickname limeys.
Did You Know?
Large doses of vitamin C have not been shown to prevent colds in most people, although regular intake may slightly shorten how long colds last.
This answer is general information, not medical advice. For a personal health question, talk to a doctor.