What do papaya, red capsicum, broccoli, strawberries, oranges, pineapple, kiwi fruit and Brussels sprouts all have in common?

They are all super tasty, they are all chock-full of nutrients and they are all excellent sources of vitamin C.

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient understood to do wonders for the human body by:-

• Possessing antioxidant activity making it helpful in counteracting free radicals and protecting tissues from oxidative stress;
• Aiding the absorption of iron;
• Encouraging the healing of wounds; and
• Assisting in the body’s defence against bacterial and viral infections.

Vitamin C is important for maintaining the health of the cardiovascular system; shown to prevent plaque formation by inhibiting the oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL^*) cholesterol, strengthening artery walls, raising high density lipoprotein (HDL^#) cholesterol, lowering total cholesterol, and improving blood pressure; all actions understood to help protect against cardiovascular disease (CVD), the world number one cause of death in 2012.

Reduced vitamin C levels have been linked to the development of small cell anaemia, bone fragility, joint pain, and rough skin, as well as a number of chronic conditions including certain types of cancer, and macular degeneration in the eyes.

Vitamin C is so important for the maintenance of good health and for the prevention of disease that I’d like to urge all of you to include some/all of the food sources high in vitamin C mentioned above in your diet every day; and before you think – argh; I’ll just get some vitamin C supplements, let me remind you that fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C are also high in a number of other essential vitamins and minerals so why not go straight to the source, your body will thank you for it.   Strawberry anyone?

Have a beautiful day.

WellWithNature xxx

* LDL Cholesterol is often referred to as bad cholesterol because it transports and deposits cholesterol and other lipids to peripheral cells.

# HDL cholesterol is often referred to as good cholesterol because it opposes the depositing role of LDL cholesterol in the peripheral tissues; HDL carries cholesterol and other lipids from the peripheral tissues to the liver which is then excreted into bile or excreted via bile into human waste.