I'm sure that most everyone has heard that you should increase Vitamin C intake before or during colds/sicknesses, it only may slightly reduce the length of the cold.
However, in addition to its role in the immune system, Vitamin C also participates in collagen synthesis, which is the most abundant protein in the body! Collagen helps keep our skin, bones, tendons, cartilage, and teeth healthy and strong.
Vitamin C acts as an anti-oxidant, protecting our cells from free radical damage (making sure our cells are stable!)
It helps us absorb iron more efficiently and synthesize other cellular compounds that play roles in our energy production reactions.
As far as its role in the immune system, it does allow white blood cells and immune cells to function properly, but an increased intake of Vitamin C does not always prove to be helpful.
Like with most vitamins, you don't want to continually take megadoses of Vitamin C because it could lead to malabsorption of the vitamin and impair the absorption of others as well.
If one takes over the Upper Level of 2000 milligrams for a long period of time, it could eventually result in diarrhea, cramps, and nausea.
On the opposite end, deficiencies of Vitamin C, like Scurvy, aren't as common, but they definitely are possible if one doesn't consume enough fruits and vegetables.
Speaking of fruits and veggies, here are some great sources of Vitamin C:
Strawberries
Pink Grapefruit Juice
Kiwi
Oranges
Brussels Sprouts
Cantaloupe
Kale
Raspberries
Soybeans
Sweet Potato with skin
Grapes
Spinach
Watermelon
A fruit salad will give you a variety of flavors and just enough Vitamin C!
Enjoy! (:
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