Vitamin C is vital for healthy skin, hair and joints. But sadly, as many as 2 in 5 Americans aren’t getting enough of the skin super-nutrient.
Here are five hidden superpowers of vitamin C, and how to
From lightening age spots, all the way to smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles—one of the most amazing benefits of Vitamin C is its ability to reverse your body’s aging process.
Collagen is the protein that gives our skin its youthful texture. By stimulating your body’s production of collagen, Vitamin C gives your skin extra firmness and strength. It's like a magic eraser that fades away saggy skin and wrinkles!
Vitamin C also works to repair damage caused by the sun, pollution, and other environmental toxins.
Age spots occur when melanin (the pigment that makes skin dark) is overproduced in certain areas of the skin, often triggered by the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Consuming more Vitamin C can help lighten, fade, and even erase those dark spots over time, giving your skin a more even tone.
One double-blind study of 31 participants found that Vitamin C was effective in reducing hyperpigmentation and global photoaging.(2)
Scientists have concluded that Vitamin C plays a key role in brain health, helping protect cells from stress and inflammation.
A study done with over 900 participants found that those with higher blood levels of Vitamin C had a better cognitive function and lower risk of cognitive decline than those with lower levels.3
What's more, the study found that the cognitive benefits were even more pronounced in those over 60 years old!
So, next time you're feeling forgetful or a little ‘foggy’, consider reaching for your favorite foods high in Vitamin C—like oranges, strawberries, or brussels sprouts.
Noticing more hair in your brush than usual… Which is perhaps another sign you’re Vitamin C deficient.
Keratin is a protein that smooths cells to form hair strands, which means more manageable hair and less frizz.
Vitamin C works from the inside out, promoting production of keratin to improve your hair health, including increased hair growth, decreased hair loss, and fewer split ends.
If you're looking to give your hair that extra bounce and shine, Vitamin C is a perfect addition to your diet.
Cuts, scrapes, and bruises happen to the best of us, but what do you do when they won't stop bleeding?
Turn to Vitamin C of course!
As one of the most powerful antioxidants out there, Vitamin C scavenges harmful free radicals that can do damage inside your body. This means that it can help protect your cells from inflammation and infection.
Not only that, but since Vitamin C is a key player in collagen production, it can also help to speed up wound healing by promoting the growth of new tissue.
A study published in the journal of Oral Medicine found that Vitamin C supplementation helped to decrease the time it took for wounds to heal by nearly half!4
Imagine being able to bounce back from cuts, scratches, or bruises within minutes!
Do you often find yourself feeling stressed or down?
Vitamin C may be what you need to boost your mood.
A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that Vitamin C supplementation was able to decrease feelings of stress, anxiety, and was an effective solution to fight depression.5
This is because Vitamin C can help to increase levels of serotonin, the “happy hormone”.
Serotonin is often released when we do things we enjoy like spending time with friends, listening to music, or eating our favorite foods.
So the next time you reach for a glass of orange juice, you’ll know all the amazing benefits you’re receiving.
If you're looking for ways to improve your skin health, memory, hair health, healing time, or mood, consider adding more Vitamin C into your diet.
You can find vitamin C rich foods, and recipes that include them, in my Radiant Clean recipe book.