Vitamin C

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, belongs to the group of water-soluble vitamins that the body cannot store; it is therefore essential to ensure the right intake regularly.

Vitamin C participates in many metabolic reactions and the biosynthesis of amino acids, hormones, and collagen. It also helps strengthen the immune system thanks to its antioxidant effects and helps the body prevent the risk of tumors, especially in the stomach, by inhibiting the synthesis of carcinogenic substances. Its intake is fundamental for neutralizing free radicals.

The average daily requirement of vitamin C is 75 mg in adult men and 60 mg in women, an amount that should be increased during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Vitamin C deficiency causes the onset of scurvy, with symptoms including: apathy, anemia, and loss of appetite, followed by other signs such as bleeding gums, tooth loss, muscle pain, and subcutaneous hemorrhages.