Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a nutrient that is unique in its effects, and is needed by the body as an antioxidant and cofactor in many enzymatic reactions.
Vitamin C is not synthesized in the human body, so it is important to ensure that there is no deficiency in your diet. The amount of vitamin C in fruit and vegetables gradually decreases during storage and a large part of the vitamin C is degraded by heat treatment, so your vitamin C intake may need to be supplemented, depending on the changing seasons and the overall nutritional adequacy of your diet.
The need for ascorbic acid increases when the body has to function under increased stress (e.g. during intense sports, or when subjected to high levels of tension). It has also been observed that smokers need to consume more vitamin C.
Vitamin C is known to be involved in many biochemical reactions as an electron donor and coenzyme for various enzymes, including dioxygenases, which help stabilise the structure of the collagen molecule.
Normal collagen synthesis is important for many of the body’s tissues, as most of them (bones, cartilage, tendons, blood vessels, gums and skin) contain collagen.
