What is ascorbic acid and why does the body need it

Vitamin C is an important component of the diet of any person, regardless of gender and age. Since childhood, almost everyone has heard about the value of this substance for colds. Vitamin C helps not only to get rid of annoying cold symptoms quickly, but also helps the body to avoid complications of infectious diseases.

Ascorbic acid is most relevant during the off-season, when the ambient temperature indicators are unstable, the body is experiencing an acute shortage of vitamins and trace elements. Despite this, a sufficient amount of ascorbic acid should enter the human body, regardless of the time of year and circumstances.

Characteristics of Ascorbic acid

The relevance of vitamin C for the human body was assessed even before the discovery of this organic compound. In its pure form, this compound was extracted in 1928. Before the discovery of vitamin C, many travelers included citrus juice and other acidic ingredients in their daily diet, which helped to avoid the development of scurvy.

In severe cases, this disease ended in a fatal outcome. In 1932, the first scientific papers appeared that confirmed the effectiveness of ascorbic acid in the prevention and treatment of scurvy. By its nature, this organic compound has a complex structure. In industrial conditions, ascorbic acid is produced in the form of a white crystalline powder with a sweet and sour taste. When it gets into the internal environment of the body, vitamin C does not provoke allergic reactions and other negative symptoms.

This substance belongs to water-soluble vitamins, and does not have the potential to accumulate in living tissues. That is why every person needs to compensate for the daily need of the body for vitamin C. The excretion of excess of this substance occurs with the flow of urine, so vitamin C hypervitaminosis is extremely rare. Ascorbic acid is not resistant to such adverse factors as ultraviolet radiation and high temperature.

The best natural sources of this element are fresh vegetables and fruits that were previously stored in proper conditions, without prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. A decrease in the concentration of vitamin C in products is observed with prolonged freezing of food ingredients or with their improper defrosting.

Prolonged, systematic defrosting leads to a loss of the initial ascorbic acid content in the product by 75%. Observing the rules of storage and preparation of food ingredients, you can adjust your diet so that the body receives the necessary amount of this element daily.

Vitamin C functions

Ascorbic acid has a multidirectional effect on the human body, but its value is beyond doubt. The most striking and valuable properties of this organic compound include:

• Antitumor effect. Ascorbic acid is one of the most powerful antioxidants that can neutralize the effects of free radicals on living cells of the body. That is why regular use of vitamin C allows you to increase the vital potential of the body, strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of cancer.
• An increase in the body’s protective reserves. In addition to the antioxidant and anti-scurvy effect, this organic compound is a powerful immunostimulator that participates in the production of interferons necessary to protect the body from the development of infectious diseases. Also, a sufficient intake of vitamin into the body of a person suffering from a cold helps to speed up the recovery process and reduces the likelihood of complications.
• Beneficial effect on the central nervous system. A diet rich in vitamin C has a general healing effect on the cells of the central nervous system, reducing the negative impact of stress on the central nervous system and increasing the brain’s potential for stress resistance.
• Regulation of energy exchange. This substance is closely related to the process of carnitine production. It is carnitine that is an important link in the overall metabolism . It has been clinically proven that sufficient intake of ascorbic acid helps to fight excess body weight. It is important to remember that excessive intake of vitamin C will not accelerate the process of weight loss, but will lead to the development of complications associated with hypervitaminosis.

Natural sources

Ascorbic acid is an indispensable substance for the entire life support process of the human body. This organic substance cannot be produced by the body itself or accumulate in tissues, so it is very important to ensure the supply of vitamin C from the outside.

Natural rich sources of ascorbic acid include such foods as rosehip fruits, black currant berries, red bell pepper, horseradish root, cauliflower, green bell pepper, strawberries, sorrel, radish, white cabbage, red currant, sour apple varieties, spinach, tomatoes, potatoes and green peas.

The content of ascorbic acid in the listed ingredients depends on their storage conditions and cooking technology. Heat treatment, systematic defrosting and storage in direct sunlight will reduce the amount of ascorbic acid to a minimum. You will find out how much vitamins cost by visiting our online pharmacy.

Signs of vitamin C deficiency

With insufficient intake into the internal environment, the lack of ascorbic acid is manifested by a number of such symptoms:

• Decreased visual acuity.
• Frequent episodes of infectious diseases.
• The appearance of bruises and bruises on the skin.
• Sleep disturbance, irritability, unmotivated fatigue.
• Decreased skin tone, the appearance of fine wrinkles.
• Pain in the joints, which increases during exercise.