Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a nutrient that the body needs in small amounts to function and stay healthy. Vitamin C helps fight infections, heal wounds, and keep tissues healthy. It is an antioxidant that helps prevent cell damage caused by free radicals (highly reactive chemicals). Vitamin C is found in all fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits, strawberries, cantaloupe, green peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, leafy greens, and potatoes. It is water-soluble (can dissolve in water) and must be taken in every day. Vitamin C is being studied in the prevention and treatment of some types of cancer. Also called ascorbic acid.

What is Vitamin C?

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin, which means it cannot be stored in the body and we must take it from dietary sources.

Vitamin C Therapeutic Uses

Vitamin C History

Sources of Vitamin C

Vitamin C Side Effects

Vitamin C Daily Requirements

Vitamin C Physiological Function

Latest Vitamin C News and Research

Sitting harms blood vessel function, but cocoa flavanols can stop it

This study shows that cocoa flavanols can preserve endothelial function during sitting, suggesting dietary strategies to mitigate cardiovascular risks.

17 Dec 2025

What Americans eat is driving global nutrition research

WWEIA data, a cornerstone of national dietary surveillance, drives nutrition research and policy, enhancing understanding of dietary trends and health outcomes.

16 Dec 2025

Plant-based diets support healthy growth when properly planned for children

Vegetarian and vegan diets can support healthy growth when carefully planned with appropriate supplementation, finds a major new meta-analysis – the most comprehensive study to-date of plant-based diets in children.

12 Dec 2025

National study maps where food additives come from in children’s and adults’ diets

By analysing nationally representative diet data, researchers show that food additives rarely occur alone, with children and teenagers experiencing the highest exposure to complex additive mixtures largely driven by ultra-processed foods.

9 Dec 2025

Kiwifruit intake boosts vitamin C in skin and supports dermal structure

Study shows that increasing dietary vitamin C intake with kiwifruit raises vitamin C levels in both the dermis and epidermis through active transport from the bloodstream. Higher skin vitamin C levels were associated with increased skin density and epidermal cell proliferation, but not with improved UV protection or measurable increases in new collagen markers.

7 Dec 2025

Why potatoes and grains can’t replace each other in a healthy diet

White potatoes are nutrient-rich, offering potassium and vitamins. Replacing grains with them may reduce essential nutrients like iron and folate.

1 Dec 2025

What makes truffles more than a delicacy? They’re packed with bioactive compounds

Italian researchers reviewed the chemical composition and biological potential of truffles, identifying them as rich sources of antioxidants, polysaccharides, sterols, and vitamins. The review highlights their promise as functional foods and natural therapeutics, while emphasizing the need for sustainable cultivation and clinical validation.

11 Nov 2025

Which foods and supplements really ease chronic constipation?

BDA's first guidelines on chronic constipation reveal effective dietary supplements, including psyllium and magnesium oxide, for better digestive health.

16 Oct 2025

Fruit-vegetable powder makes collagen jelly healthier without losing flavor

A study reveals the ideal fruit-vegetable powder blend for low-sugar collagen jelly, boosting antioxidant levels while maintaining desirable taste and texture.

6 Oct 2025

Precision probiotics lower blood sugar and cholesterol in mice

Researchers developed a precision probiotic cocktail comprising three Lactobacillus strains that improved glucose control, reduced weight gain, and lowered cholesterol levels in mice fed a high-fat diet. Metabolomic and microbiome analyses revealed host metabolic adaptations and beneficial shifts in gut bacteria, highlighting translational potential for future clinical trials.

28 Sep 2025

Can roselle help fight inflammation? New review suggests strong potential

A new review highlights the anti-inflammatory potential of Hibiscus sabdariffa (roselle), synthesizing evidence from 25 studies published between 2019 and 2024. Most findings are from preclinical models, but they point to promising roles in cardiovascular, metabolic, neuroprotective, and anticancer health.

28 Sep 2025

Most cancer patients encounter misinformation about treatments

Ninety-three percent of patients with a new cancer diagnosis were exposed to at least one type of misinformation about cancer treatments, a UF Health Cancer Center study has found.

24 Sep 2025

Can cereal microgreens become the next sustainable superfood?

Rich in vitamins and minerals, cereal microgreens offer superior nutritional benefits over mature grains, supporting health and addressing dietary deficiencies.

5 Sep 2025

Most Americans drink less juice than guidelines allow, study finds

A new study of NHANES 2017–2023 data shows that most Americans drink far less 100% fruit juice than the Dietary Guidelines allow. Juice consumption was linked to better diet quality, higher nutrient intake, and did not displace whole fruit.

24 Aug 2025

Diabetes risk hinges on how you cook potatoes

Research indicates that potato consumption and its preparation methods impact type 2 diabetes risk, with substitutions offering potential health benefits.

11 Aug 2025

Personalizing endometrial cancer prevention through diet and lifestyle

This review synthesizes emerging evidence on modifiable risk factors for endometrial cancer (EC)-the sixth most common female malignancy globally-with rising incidence despite diagnostic advances.

7 Aug 2025

Herbal remedies show promise for treating depression

This scoping review analyzes OTC products for depression, uncovering effective treatments and emphasizing the need for further studies on herbal efficacy.

4 Aug 2025

Powerful bioactives found in overlooked Amazonian fruits

Lesser-known Amazonian fruits exhibit strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, highlighting their role in public health and biotechnology research.

31 Jul 2025

Vegan diets support high-level training, but risks of muscle loss

Vegan diets may enhance performance in semi-professional soccer players, but attention to protein and nutrient intake is crucial for muscle preservation.

22 Jul 2025

New review identifies promising and under-researched OTC depression aids

Most people have heard of St John's Wort and omega-3s. But did you know there are a lot more over-the-counter herbal products and supplements out there targeting depression? In our review of clinical trials of these products, we found 64 different over-the-counter (OTC) products that have been evaluated for depression – but with differing levels of evidence for each.

16 Jul 2025