Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble nutrient. The body needs vitamin C to make collagen, a protein required to help wounds heal. In addition, vitamin C improves the absorption of iron from plant-based foods and helps the immune system work properly to protect the body from disease.
Many fruits and vegetables are great sources of vitamin C. Try citrus fruits and their juices, as well as red and green pepper and kiwifruit. Broccoli, strawberries, cantaloupe and tomatoes also contain vitamin C. Some foods and beverages are fortified with vitamin C. To find out if vitamin C has been added to a product, check the label.
Most multivitamins contain vitamin C. It is also available alone as a dietary supplement or in combination with other nutrients. If you have questions about vitamin C supplements, your pharmacist is ready to help.
—Source: National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Health Connection, January 2016
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