Do you know of anyone who has not heard of Vitamin C? Vitamin C has been one of the most popular and widely-used nutritional supplements for many years. Its many benefits, such as preventing conditions such as scurvy, and its proven effectiveness in fighting infection, colds, and flu are well documented. It even became controversial when some experts revealed study results claiming that vitamin C in sufficient dosage can prevent heart diseases and cancer. However, the benefits of vitamin C don’t end there.
Researchers have added another reason why people should consider taking vitamin C supplements. This vitamin is being touted as a very effective supplement for alleviating the symptoms of stress and perhaps should be included as part of your stress management plan.
Vitamin C lowers stress levels
Studies show that those people who had been regularly taking vitamin C supplements and have been eating vitamin C rich foods exhibited far less of the physical and mental signs of stress than those who had low Vitamin C levels.
German researchers conducted a study that supports those findings. This particular study showed that individuals who were regularly given 1,000 mg of vitamin C had lower levels of measured stress hormones even after being subjected to highly-stressful events such as public-speaking and mathematical calculations.
By the same token, those people who were not given Vitamin C supplementation experienced increased blood pressure after undergoing the same events. From these findings, it has been suggested that taking vitamin C supplements are beneficial against the debilitating effects of stress.
Vitamin C boosts the Immune System
Another study showed that Vitamin C can help prevent the body from overproducing stress hormones. Excessive production of stress hormones in the body serves to help suppress the body’s immune system. Taking vitamin C regularly can lead to a healthier immune system and less susceptibility to illnesses caused by or worsened by stress. This theory was proven when researchers studied marathon runners. Those who regularly took vitamin C were found to be less vulnerable to the common cold and other respiratory illnesses compared to those marathon athletes who ignored this supplement.
Natural Vitamin C
Vitamin C is organically found in many fruits and vegetables. The best way to maximize your natural vitamin C intake is to eat them while they are still fresh and raw. Vitamin C is very sensitive to air, temperature, and water. Steaming, boiling, or blanching a vegetable may result in the loss of vitamin C by as much as 25%. Loss may also occur when a vitamin C-rich food undergoes thawing and freezing. Cooking a vegetable or fruit for 10-20 minutes removes 50% of its’ vitamin C content.
Some of the fruits and vegetables that contain high levels of vitamin C are:
” Bell peppers, hot and green chili peppers
” Mustard greens, kale, cauliflower, broccoli
” Papaya, kiwi, orange, strawberries, tangerines.
Vitamin C is best obtained by eating fresh fruits and vegetables. However, taking vitamin C supplements is a helpful option for people who reside in places where fresh fruits and vegetables are scarce or seasonal.
Vitamin C is not a magic bullet to prevent or relieve stress. If you are suffering from stress, you need to review all aspects of your life including diet. Using vitamin C along with other natural stress lowering methods will help build strength in mind and body to better cope with your stress.