Vitamin C (as Ascorbic acid)

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in many bodily functions. It is a water-soluble vitamin that is found in many fruits and vegetables, and it is also available as a dietary supplement. There are a range of health benefits associated with vitamin C, including:

Immune system function
Cold and flu prevention
Vitamin C has been shown to help prevent colds and flu by boosting the immune system and reducing the severity and duration of symptoms (Hemilä, 2017).

Wound healing
Vitamin C is involved in the synthesis of collagen, a protein that plays a critical role in wound healing and tissue repair (Pullar et al., 2017).

Skin health
Anti-aging effects
Vitamin C has been shown to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity, and protect against sun damage (Telang, 2013).

Collagen production
Vitamin C is essential for the production of collagen, which helps to maintain skin health by providing structure and elasticity to the skin (Pullar et al., 2017).

Antioxidant activity
Free radical scavenging
Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps to neutralize harmful free radicals in the body, which can cause damage to cells and contribute to the development of chronic diseases (Carr and Maggini, 2017).

Cancer prevention
Vitamin C has been shown to have anticancer properties by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, which are both implicated in the development of cancer (Pullar et al., 2017).

Cardiovascular health
Blood pressure regulation
Vitamin C has been shown to help regulate blood pressure by improving endothelial function and reducing arterial stiffness (Ashor et al., 2015).

Cholesterol management
Vitamin C has also been shown to help improve cholesterol levels by reducing LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol (Hemilä and Suonsyrjä, 2017).

Vitamin C is included in:

References
Ashor, A. W., Lara, J., Mathers, J. C., & Siervo, M. (2015). Effect of vitamin C on endothelial function in health and disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Atherosclerosis, 235(1), 9-20.
Carr, A. C., & Maggini, S. (2017). Vitamin C and immune function. Nutrients, 9(11), 1211.
Hemilä, H. (2017). Vitamin C and infections. Nutrients, 9(4), 339.
Hemilä, H., & Suonsyrjä, T. (2017). Vitamin C for preventing and treating pneumonia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (4), CD005532.
Pullar, J. M., Carr, A. C., & Vissers, M. C. (2017). The roles of vitamin C in skin health. Nutrients, 9(8), 866.
Telang, P. S. (2013). Vitamin C in dermatology. Indian Dermatology Online Journal, 4(2), 143-146.