05/07/2026
✨Nutrient Spotlight✨
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and powerful antioxidant that plays essential roles in immune function, collagen production, wound healing, and iron absorption. Unlike most animals, humans cannot produce vitamin C themselves, meaning we rely entirely on our diet to meet our daily requirements.
🦠 Immune Function
Vitamin C supports normal immune cell function and protects these cells from oxidative damage. It also indirectly supports immune health through its role in collagen production, helping to maintain the integrity of our skin and gut lining, our body’s first line of defence against invading pathogens. Evidence also suggests that regular supplementation may modestly reduce the duration of the common cold and symptom severity (PMID: 15971944; PMID: 17992770).
🦴Collagen Production
Vitamin C is essential for collagen production, the body’s most abundant structural protein, providing strength and support to the skin, blood vessels, cartilage, bones, and connective tissues.
🫐Antioxidant Defence
Vitamin C acts as a powerful antioxidant, helping protect our cells against damage by free radicals and has also been shown to regenerate other antioxidants within the body, including vitamin E, providing further protection from oxidative damage.
🌱Iron Absorption
Vitamin C enhances the absorption of non-haem iron found in plant-based foods such as beans, lentils, spinach, and fortified cereals. Pairing these foods with foods rich in vitamin C is a simple way to increase iron absorption at meals.
🍊Food Sources
Fruits and vegetables are the richest sources of vitamin C, particularly citrus fruits, kiwi fruit, strawberries, capsicum, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.
💊 Supplementation
Supplementation may be particularly beneficial for those at increase risk of deficiency, such as those with limited dietary variety, smokers, and individuals with certain medical conditions. At QNH, we stock a range of vitamin C supplements. If you’re unsure which supplements is right for you, give is a call or pop in-store for a chat, we’re always happy to help ❤️
