I guess we all know vitamin C. This is what our mothers pushed us when they saw us catch a cold, and it has always been praised in advertisements, newspapers and television for its beneficial effect on the treatment of many ailments. No wonder – after all, it is one of the most needed vitamins in the human body. What do we owe to vitamin C that so much emphasis is placed on supplementing it?
Vitamin C deficiency manifests itself only after a long time. Then we can notice many unpleasant complications, such as greater susceptibility to infections, weakness, fatigue, joint pain, loss of appetite, bleeding tendency. Its basic properties include:
- Reducing the toxicity of heavy metals,
- increasing immunity,
- antioxidant effect,
- lowering cholesterol,
- Increasing the effectiveness of drugs taken in the case of diseases of the urinary system,
- Supporting the absorption of iron,
- Help in healing wounds,
- enzyme activation,
- Facilitating the excretion of alcohol from the body,
- Activating folic acid,
- Improving the quality of the skin and tendons.
Vegetables and fruits are the fastest way to health
Of course, fresh or properly processed ones will be the best. It is commonly believed that lemons contain the most vitamin C, and although they are actually a rich source, one blackcurrant has three times more of it! A large amount of this vitamin can also be found in apples, mainly in the Antonówka variety. However, it should be remembered that too long storage of fruit at room temperature reduces the content of this valuable ingredient.
Among vegetables Tomatoes are in the lead, in the case of which even a single, large one covers as much as 60% of the demand for vitamin. In addition, we find it in various types of cabbage, which is very important especially in the winter, when it is difficult to get fresh plant products. An important source are also potatoes, present in every Polish home, in which vitamin C is found primarily just under the skin. However, if potatoes are stored for too long, their quantity decreases by up to 50%.
Where is it worth looking for vitamin C?
Below we present the TOP list of the most valuable vegetables and fruits rich in this vitamin:
- Dried wild rose (100 g of the product contains as much as 1700 grams of vitamin C)
- Blackcurrant (183 g)
- Red pepper (144 g)
- Brussels sprouts (94 g)
- Green pepper (91 g)
- Spinach and cauliflower (70 g)
- Strawberries (68g)
- Kiwi (60g)
- Oranges and lemon (50 g)
- Red currant (45 g)
- White and red cabbage (45 g)
- Tomatoes (23g)
- Sauerkraut (16 g).