Antioxidants and Vitamin C
Author: William Chaney
Vitamin C is a Versatile Antioxidant Vitamin
Vitamin C as an antioxidant, helps to reduce the activity of free radicals, which is very important in helping us to live a healthy life in many different areas. For everything from helping control high blood pressure to sharper brain function, Vitamin C appears to play an important roll.
Slice an apple into half, and it will turn brown in a very short period of time. This is an example of a process called oxidation. If the sliced apple were to be dipped in water and lemon juice when first sliced, however, the rate at which the apple turns brown is slowed. In the kitchen, we do this so that the apple will remain fresh looking when served. This happens because the Vitamin C in the lemon juice slows the rate of damage caused by oxidation.
Since its discovery vitamin C has played an important roll in our health. Vitamin C serves as a key immune system nutrient and a free-radical fighter. Because it fights free-radicals this nutrient helps prevent many illnesses. It is recommended to help cure ailments such as the common cold and devastating diseases such as cancer which are believed to be the result of unchecked free-radicals at work in our body.
Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid in the scientific community and is a water-soluble vitamin. We humans need ascorbic acid for many aspects of our biochemical functioning but our bodies cannot produce our own supply of the vitamin. We need to obtain this nutrient through food or supplements to our diet.
Vitamin C, as an antioxidant, helps other antioxidants, such as Vitamin E and minerals such as selenium fight the activity of free radicals, which are by-products of normal metabolism which damage cells when left unchecked. The lack of antioxidants allows them to lower your defense system against a large number of ailments..
Just what are free radicals? Basically they are molecules with an unpaired electron. In this state, they're highly reactive and destructive to everything they come in contact with. They are byproducts of normal chemical reactions in your body. Vitamin C helps neutralize these free radicals. It does this by being an excellent source of electrons; therefore, it "donates" electrons to free radicals and this stops their destructive activity."
To enjoy optimal health, your body requires a balance between free radical generation and antioxidant protection. This is accomplished by keeping your body supplied with the proper amount of antioxidant Vitamins it requires.
Some good Sources of Vitamin C are; Fresh squeezed Orange Juice, Fresh squeezed Grapefruit Juice, Papaya, Guave, Kiwi Fruit, Fresh Oranges, Cantaloupe,Watermelon and raw Broccoli This is by no means a complete list as almost all fruits and many vegetables offer Vitamin C.
The full extent of the effects and the recommended daily intake of vitamin C is an ongoing debate. However it is well documented that you need it and that you can not produce it by yourself so it is in your own best interest to eat some of the foods that contain vitamin C daily.
About the Author: William is a Retired Chef and Wine Connoisseur. Born and raised in the wine country of California, he uses his background to write about Healthy Food and Diet plus wine and food pairings on his blog at http://HealthyFoodandDiet.com. Go there and sign up for a free copy of "Healthy Foods at Fast Food Restaurants"
