Vitamin C: Best Food Sources, Why You Need It, and More

Prevents iron deficiency

Prevents iron deficiency
Prevents iron deficiency

Iron is an essential mineral that has several functions in the body. Iron is important for the production of red blood cells and the transportation of oxygen throughout the body cells. Vitamin C from diet or supplements can aid with the improvement of iron absorption in the body to attain its benefits. Vitamin C helps in converting iron that has poor absorption such as the iron coming from plant sources of food into an easier to absorb form. Vitamin C supplements are specifically useful for people who follow a vegetarian diet and cannot suffice with plant-based iron because meat is a major source of iron.

In fact, the simple consumption of 100 mg of vitamin C might stimulate iron absorption by 67%. Vitamin C as a result might help in reducing the risk of anemia in people who are prone to iron deficiency. According to a study, 65 children having mild iron deficiency anemia take initiate taking vitamin C supplement. The researchers state that supplement alone helps in controlling their anemia. Consumption of more vitamin C rich foods or vitamin C supplement might help in improving blood iron levels if you have low levels of iron.