Vitamin C is one of the essential vitamins for the body. Easily available, it can be consumed by eating fruits and vegetables like oranges, kiwi, strawberries, spinach, bell peppers, and broccoli. Already known for its effectiveness and multiple health benefits, it too holds a distinct place during the coronavirus outbreak.
Though, no evidence proposes that vitamin C supplements or in-take can help prevent COVID-19
Can Vitamin C Protect You from COVID-19?
But, when there are no particular medicines or vaccines to fight back it is believed that coronavirus is less harmful to those with strong immunity.
This article reviews what vitamin C is, how the water-soluble antioxidant affects immunity.
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C, an essential nutrient involved in:
- Growth and repair of tissue
- Heal wounds and maintain healthy bones, teeth, or skin
- Reduce the risk of cartilage loss, especially with patients having osteoarthritis
- Some evidence even states that high doses of vitamin C might decrease the length of cold symptoms
- May reduce risk of chronic disease, blood uric acid levels and
- lower your risk of heart disease
- Manage high blood pressure
- Prevent iron deficiency
- Boost immunity
How does it Affect Immunity?
A Potent Antioxidant
Free radicals are harmful molecules that can damage the cells in the human body. Vitamin C protects the cells by donating an electron to these free radicals. Thus, Vitamin C (a potent water-soluble antioxidant) stabilizes the free radicals and prevents further damage to the immune cells. Beets, Blueberries, Broccoli, Flaxseed oil, Green Tea, Garlic, Ginger, Seaweed, Spinach, are some antioxidant-rich foods that help boost your Immune System.
Decreases Inflammation
As Vitamin C has the capability of stabilizing the free radicals that damage the cells and tissues, it lessens the scope of inflammation. Besides, it might prove beneficial in lowering C-reactive proteins.
Boosts Collagen Production
Collagen is the most abundant protein and major connective tissue in our body. It is part of tendons, ligaments, skin, muscles, and bones or you may say, a platform providing structure as well as strength.
Usually, collagen production is boosted by Hyaluronic acid that is naturally present in our body but this tends to decrease with age. Further, the intake of sugar and refined carbs along with exposure to ultraviolet radiation (sunlight) causes damage to the collagen. However, Vitamin C has the potential to increase this acid level and collagen, thus proving beneficial for the body.
Promotes Wound Healing
Apart from the many health benefits spoken of, Vitamin C plays a major role when it comes to healing a wound. It assists the better absorption of iron in the body. Also, it cross-links the collagen molecules and enhances tissue strength. Moreover, it promotes the collagen genes to synthesize collagen for better and quicker healing.
Boosts immune cells that can swallow harmful bacteria and other particles
Vitamin C boosts the production of Phagocytes (a type of WBC). These immune cells ingest the bacteria and other harmful particles along with dead or dying cells to protect the body.
Promotes the growth of immune cell types that increases your circulating antibodies
Vitamin C promotes the production of Lymphocytes (a type of WBC). These immune cells recognize foreign microorganisms/substances through the receptor molecules on their surface and also remove them.
Benefits during a Cold
Intake of Vitamin C indicates a reduction in the symptoms of a cold. Thus, it lays an impact by reducing the severity and also in decreasing the recovery time. There are some other natural home remedies for cold that can help you recover faster.
Important tips-
- It is advisable to get more Vitamin C from your diet rather than opting for supplements.
- Vitamin C is water-soluble and never stored by the body thus, a regular intake of foods rich with Vitamin C is suggested rather than supplements.
Conclusion
Overall, vitamin C exerts beneficial effects on cellular functions of the body. It can prevent and treat respiratory infections as well as help boost the immune system.