Vitamin C is commonly present in citric foods. It should be an essential part of your diet. Vitamin C consumption can give you some impressive health benefits. You can add enough amount of vitamin C to your diet with some simple foods. Vitamin C rich foods are high in antioxidants which are good for your heart health and reduce the risk of heart diseases. Another impressive health benefit of vitamin C is that it helps in boosting immunity. Strong immune system helps in preventing many health issues naturally. Vitamin C protects the body cells from damage from free radicals. It strengthens your body's ability to fight diseases. Similarly, vitamin C can help in preventing cold and also controls the symptoms of a cold.
Vitamin C for cold
As vitamin C helps in boosting immunity it can help in controlling the symptoms of cold. Various studies have closely observed the effect of vitamin C on cold. Vitamin C supplements were used for years to control the onset of a cold. But there was a requirement of further studies to claim the benefits of vitamin C for cold.
In 2013, a study highlighted that vitamin C may not reduce the incidents of catching cold. But vitamin C can definitely reduce the severity of cold and reduce its duration. The study also elaborated that 1-2 grams for children and 6-8 grams of vitamin C for adults can give effective results.
Consumption of Vitamin C rich foods can also reduce the risk of infections and also reduces the duration of the infection which results in better outcome.
Also read: Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Common Cold
Food sources of vitamin C
Earlier vitamin C supplements were used to prevent a cold. But there are many food sources of vitamin C which are high in nutrition that can be added to your diet. Vitamin C should be a part of your daily diet so that you have a strong immune system throughout the year. Some of the foods rich in vitamin C that can be added to your diet may include-
Kiwi, broccoli, lemon, papaya, strawberries, guava, orange, grapefruit, tomato juice, red pepper, pineapple and dark green leafy vegetables.
Also read: Vitamin C Deficiency: 7 Common Signs And Symptoms You Must Know
These foods are not just rich in vitamin C but are also high in other essential nutrients. You can add these foods to your diet. Vitamin C is also necessary for iron absorption from the diet consumed.
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
Take A Look At Malaika Arora's "Vitamin C Shots For The Week" 8 Health Benefits Of Taking Vitamin C Supplements Pollution Got You Down? Try These 5 Home Remedies To Soothe Your Throat And Cough 9 Dead, 2,800 Hurt As Pagers Explode Across Lebanon, Hezbollah Blames Israel 3 Grams Of Explosives Per Pager: Israel's Complex Op To Hurt Hezbollah "Wear Proper Undergarments": Delta Airlines' New Memo For Flight Attendants Video: Brazil Mayoral Candidate Attacks Opponent With Chair On Live TV 3 Grams Of Explosives Per Pager: Israel's Complex Op To Hurt Hezbollah Chandigarh Court's Notice To Kangana Ranaut Over 'Emergency' Controversy Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.