Spotlight on Vitamin C!

• It is a water-soluble vitamin (so it will be absorbed without the need for fat, unlike Vitamin A) so there is no concern about toxicity.
• It is another essential micronutrient which the body cannot make and must be in our diet.
• It is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals (both formed when the body converts food to energy and found in the environment).
• It also helps make collagen, which is needed for wound healing.
• It improves body’s ability to absorb iron from plant-sourced foods.
• It helps the immune system work to protect the body from disease.
• Deficiency can lead to bruising easily, gingivitis and bleeding gums, dry/splitting hair, dry/rough skin, lower wound-healing rate, and a decreased ability to prevent infection.
• Vitamin C can be lost with cooking, so steaming or microwaving are best methods.
• Vitamin C is found in:
  • Citrus fruits and their juices
  • Red and green pepper and kiwifruit
  • Other fruits and vegetables (such as broccoli, strawberries, cantaloupe, baked potatoes, and tomatoes)
  • Foods and beverages fortified vitamin C (check product labels to see if Vitamin C was added)