Vitamin C which is also called as ascorbic acid was discovered by Albert Szent-Györgyi in 1912. It is a six carbon compound, naturally found in citrus fruits and many other vegetables. It is an essential nutrient in human diet necessary to maintain connective tissue. Vitamin C cannot be produced or stored by humans and must be obtained through the diet.
The main sources of Vitamin C are raw and fresh vegetables. Orange, grape, lime and lemon are especially very rich in vitamin C. Other sources of this Vitamin include Bell peppers, Broccoli, kiwi, Strawberries etc.
Recommended amount of vitamin C for different age groups is as follows:
Ascorbic acid is rapidly absorbed by intestines and is passed on through the portal vein into the general circulation. Organs like liver and other tissues maintain the optimal level of asorbic acid.
Severe deficiency of vitamin C leads to a disease named scurvy. Scurvy is characterized by easy bruising and hemorrhaging of the skin, loosening of the teeth, bleeding of the gums and disruption of the cartilages supporting the skeleton.
The following are the functions of ascorbic acid,
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