1. May reduce your risk of chronic disease

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can strengthen your body’s natural defenses.Antioxidants are molecules that boost the immune system. They do so by protecting cells from harmful molecules called free radicals.

2. May help manage high blood pressure

High blood pressure puts you at risk of heart disease, the leading cause of death globally.Studies have shown that vitamin C may help lower blood pressure in both those with and without high blood pressure.

3. May lower your risk of heart disease

Many factors increase the risk of heart disease, including high blood pressure, high triglyceride or LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, and low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.Vitamin C may help reduce these risk factors, which may reduce heart disease risk.

4. May reduce blood uric acid levels and help prevent gout attacks

Gout symptoms appear when there is too much uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is a waste product produced by the body. At high levels, it may crystallize and deposit in the joints.Interestingly, several studies have shown that vitamin C may help reduce uric acid in the blood and, as a result, protect against gout attacks.

5. Helps prevent iron deficiency

Iron is an important nutrient that has a variety of functions in the body. It’s essential for making red blood cells and transporting oxygen throughout the body.Vitamin C supplements can help improve the absorption of iron from the diet. Vitamin C assists in converting iron that is poorly absorbed, such as plant-based sources of iron, into a form that is easier to absorb.This is especially useful for people on a meat-free diet, as meat is a major source of iron.In fact, simply consuming 100 mg of vitamin C may improve iron absorption by 67%.As a result, vitamin C may help reduce the risk of anemia among people prone to iron deficiency.

6. Boosts immunity

One of the main reasons people take vitamin C supplements is to boost their immunity, as vitamin C is involved in many parts of the immune system.First, vitamin C helps encourage the production of white blood cells known as lymphocytes and phagocytes, which help protect the body against infection.Second, vitamin C helps these white blood cells function more effectively while protecting them from damage by potentially harmful molecules, such as free radicals.Third, vitamin C is an essential part of the skin’s defense system. It’s actively transported to the skin, where it can act as an antioxidant and help strengthen the skin’s barriers.

7. Protects your memory and thinking as you age

Low vitamin C levels have been linked to an increased risk of memory and thinking disorders like dementia, while a high intake of vitamin C from foods and supplements has been shown to have a protective effect.