We all know vitamin C is an important nutrient in our diet. But how much do you really know about why vitamin C matters? Probably not much. Don’t worry! Let’s break it down.
When we say vitamin C, you may think of orange juice and that’s about it. But you undoubtedly have some questions… Why is orange juice such a well-known source of vitamin C? What makes vitamin C so valuable in the first place? And what other delicious ways are there to get vitamin C into your diet?
Here at Little West, we believe everyone deserves to know delicious ways to enjoy nutritious foods. That’s why we’re here to answer your vitamin C questions and give you the inside scoop on easy, mouth-watering ways to increase your daily vitamin C intake — including the Little West Vitamin C Orange Juice!
From the key roles of vitamin C to vitamin C-rich juices, here’s what you need to know…
Vitamin C is commonly described as an antioxidant that helps protect cells from oxidative stress, according to nutrition research. It is also essential for normal growth and development.
Your body uses vitamin C in the formation of blood vessels, cartilage, muscle, and collagen .
Vitamin C is associated with normal tissue maintenance and repair processes in the body. It also supports iron absorption, which is important for overall development and oxygen transport in the body.
Very low vitamin C intake over time can lead to deficiency. Take scurvy, for example. Scurvy occurs when the body does not have enough vitamin C to support normal collagen production.
While this condition is rare today, it highlights the importance of maintaining adequate vitamin C intake.
The bad news is that our body doesn’t produce vitamin C automatically. This means we are responsible for making sure we have vitamin C in our diet. *Sigh*. However, the good news is that there are lots of delicious foods and vitamin C juices that are brimming with vitamin C.
The top vitamin C-packed foods include:
Check Out - What Makes Citrus So Healthy?
One simple way to increase vitamin C intake is to include more foods naturally rich in the nutrient. The good news is that all of these foods are yummy fruit and veggies which means it should be too hard to add more of them into your diet.
Fresh produce can sometimes retain more vitamin C, as certain nutrients may gradually decrease during storage. This is because the nutrient depletes as time goes by . So, this means buying fresh fruits and veggies locally is going to amp up your vitamin C content - and they will be even more delicious!
Vitamin C can be sensitive to heat, so some cooking methods may reduce its levels. So, we recommend enjoying fresh fruit salads, veg crudités, and fresh salads if you want to enjoy the benefits of more vitamin C.
Juices made from vitamin C-rich fruits can be one convenient way to include these ingredients in your diet. Not only do they use fresh, raw fruit and veggies, but they also mean you can pack loads of fruit and veggies into one easy-to-drink juice that is perfect for consuming in a rush.
You can make your own vitamin C juice at home using your favorite vitamin C-packed ingredients, or, for an even easier hit of vitamin C, why not buy the juice ready-made? Take the Little West Vitamin C Orange Juice for example. It’s ready-made, brimming with locally grown oranges, and can be an easy and flavorful way to enjoy oranges, a fruit naturally rich in vitamin C.
Check Out - Exploring the Power of Vitamin C
So, it’s obvious vitamin C is an essential nutrient, but can you believe how easy it is to enjoy it in delicious ways? From vitamin C juice to fresh fruit salad, enjoying vitamin C fruit and veggies could not be easier, especially when there are products on the market, like Little West’s Vitamin C Orange Juice, that do half the job for us!
**Disclaimer - This article is intended for general nutrition information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Nutritional needs can vary from person to person.**
