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Why Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is the first thing that comes to mind when boosting immunity — but it has so many more benefits for your body! So why should you consume vitamin C especially during the winter months?

Why Vitamin C? image
Merve Tığlı
Uzman

Helps boost immunity

Yes, it's true that vitamin C boosts immunity thanks to its high antioxidant properties. Especially in winter, our risk of catching colds and flu increases significantly — both because of the cold weather and because we spend more time in enclosed spaces. Although research shows that vitamin C does not directly prevent the common cold, it is proven to be effective at reducing the symptoms caused by flu infections.

For improving skin quality

As the weather cools in winter, maintaining the elasticity of dry skin becomes even more important. In addition to drinking plenty of water, getting adequate amounts of vitamin C — which supports collagen production — helps improve your skin quality. Vitamin C consumption is important every season for youthful-looking skin; however, if you notice a visible decline in your skin quality specifically during the winter months, paying close attention to your vitamin C intake is essential.

Protective against stress

In winter, our susceptibility to depression increases due to the foggy and cold weather as well as the reduced sunlight. Depressive symptoms, in turn, cause stress levels in the body to rise. However, it is a known fact that adequate levels of vitamin C are effective in reducing stress in the body. If you feel your energy dropping and your stress levels rising during the winter months, it's worth reviewing your vitamin C intake.

Helps balance blood sugar

It's a fact that the body needs more energy in winter to regulate its thermal balance. For this reason, you may sometimes find it difficult to control your appetite. However, when you get enough vitamin C, you don't need to worry about balancing your blood sugar. Because vitamin C helps you balance blood sugar and suppress appetite, and lends its support in preventing sudden hunger and sugar cravings.

Supports wound healing

Being more active in winter is perhaps all of our dream! But with snow and ice, we may shut ourselves indoors to avoid the risk of falling, or deprive ourselves of winter sports. Yet as long as we get adequate levels of vitamin C, there's no need to fear injuries. Because this collagen-producing vitamin helps us not only with our skin, but also with wound healing.

For shortness of breath

Winter months can become a nightmare for those who suffer from shortness of breath, asthma, and similar conditions. However, research shows that vitamin C's antioxidant and antihistamine effects are quite helpful in reducing shortness of breath. When you consume the amount of vitamin C you need in addition to the medications prescribed by your doctor, shortness of breath won't haunt you during the winter months!

Protective against cancer

Of course, it should come as no surprise that a vitamin with such high antioxidant properties is also protective against cancer! Vitamin C, which helps protect cell structure, shows a protective effect against many types of cancer, most notably lung and ovarian cancer.

While vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, it has low resistance to heat and light. Vitamin C is found in foods such as oranges, lemons, grapefruit, strawberries, tangerines, rosehips, red peppers, kiwi, and parsley. If you are not getting enough, be sure to consult your doctor and dietitian for guidance on supplementation.