Think quick! Which of these contain vitamin C: Is it orange, sweet pepper or broccoli? 

The answer is … all of them! Actually, all these food contain a high amount of vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid. Read on to find out more interesting facts about this skin-essential vitamin!

The Most Needed Vitamin at Sea
Back in the day, sailors got their daily dose of vitamin sea - but apparently not enough of vitamin C! Historically, it was common for sailors to have scurvy caused by lack of fruits and vegetables in their diet which eventually led to vitamin C deficiency.

Symptoms of scurvy includes skin that bruises easily, bleeding gums, joint pain and poor wound healing. Soon enough, sailors started bringing along limes and lemons to snack on throughout their journey to prevent it.

It's apparent from this piece of history alone how important vitamin C is to our body. Here's a quick rundown on how it helps keep us in tip-top shape:

1. Adaptable Builder: Vitamin C is used by the body in many different ways, from skin cells to blood vessels. One of its important roles is helping the body make skin, tendons, and ligaments, as well as repair and maintain cartilage, bones, and teeth.

2. Mood Maker: Vitamin C also plays a role in brain function, particularly in the synthesis of neurotransmitter norepinephrine, a stress hormone. Some people use this vitamin to help cope with mental stress and fatigue.

3. Skin Saver: This essential vitamin also keeps skin naturally glowing. It's key in producing collagen which the body uses to heal wounds and to form scar tissues. Collagen also keeps skin firm and helps cells and blood vessels grow.

Aside from that, vitamin C also packs a one-two punch against free radicals (e.g. air pollution, cigarette smoke, UV light) that damage cells, causing wrinkles and skin dryness. It neutralizes these free radicals and also reverses the damage.

 

Daily Doses of Goodness
Vitamin C is water-soluble, meaning it can't be stored by the body - so daily intake is a must!

Get your daily dose of vitamin C by munching on fresh fruits like mangoes, papayas, pineapples, strawberries, watermelons as well as citrus fruits. Other great sources are red and green peppers, leafy greens, tomatoes, potatoes, and sprouts.

You can double the goodness for your skin by slathering on vitamin C from sunflower, avocado, and aloe vera - found in our Natural Healthy Lotion! Powered with 12 nutrients & antioxidants fresh from Mother Nature herself, every slather of this lightweight, easy-to-absorb lotion gives your skin moisturizing nourishment inside out.

Healthy Lotion

Sources:
Live Science, "Vitamin C: Sources & Benefits"
Love to Know, "Interesting Facts About Vitamin C" 
U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)"