5 Remedies With Vitamin C To Overcome Colds

Vitamin C remedies aimed at fighting colds are effective and widely used by the general population. However, the research on this claim is somewhat controversial.

Although not fully proven, large doses of vitamin C can help reduce the duration of colds. However, they do not protect us from getting it. This vitamin may also be helpful for those exposed to short periods of severe or extreme physical activity.

Vitamin C remedies can vary in effectiveness from person to person, so they are not always effective. On the other hand, a dose of 1000 to 2000 mg a day is well tolerated by most people, but keep in mind that too much vitamin C can cause an upset stomach.

What is vitamin C for?

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient in the body that contributes to different body processes such as:

• Collagen formation.
• Wound healing.
• Immune function (hence the effectiveness of remedies with vitamin C to overcome colds).
• Synthesis of neurotransmitters.

In addition, it is an antioxidant substance, that is, it has the ability to defend ourselves against the action of free radicals. Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms that have an unpaired electron with the ability to pair, so they are very reactive.

Vitamin C deficiency

When we don’t get enough vitamin C, we can get scurvy. It is a disease characterized by:

• Weakness.
• Muscle and joint pain.
• Spontaneous bleeding in the gums and skin that is slow to heal.

In addition, the deficiency of this vitamin C also influences cardiovascular health. Low levels of this vitamin are associated with a worsening of heart failure.

5 remedies with vitamin C to overcome colds

It is not necessary to take supplements to obtain the required daily amount of vitamin C. In fact, there are a whole series of fruits and vegetables that contain much more than the daily requirement recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO): 45 mg.

Although many of us associate orange and lemon as the main sources of vitamin C, the truth is that they are not the richest source of ascorbic acid. BBC Focus the scientific journal published a list of foods that contain more vitamin C. Among them we find:

1. Guava

It is one of the most effective vitamin C remedies for fighting colds. Per 100 grams, it provides 228 milligrams of vitamin C.

It is used in many countries such as the Philippines thanks to its natural properties. They stand out, for example:

• Combat constipation : it is a fruit rich in fiber, so it strengthens the intestinal transit and helps to solve these types of problems.
• Rich in folic acid : vitamin B is especially indicated for gestation periods as it helps prevent possible malformations in the fetus.
• Contains vitamin A and C : provitamin A is essential in periods of growth, in addition to intervening in vision care, nail formation and hair maintenance. As for vitamin C, it is essential for the processes previously explained.

2. Black currant

Black currant provides 200 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams. Besides being one of the remedies most commonly used vitamin C, also known for its content of other vitamins such as B group. Among them are:

• Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5).
• Pyridoxine (vitamin B6).

• Thiamine (vitamin B1).

It is also a food rich in iron, which is a mineral necessary for protection against immune deficiencies and fatigue by transporting oxygen to cells.

3. Red pepper

It is a vegetable that contains 190 mg of vitamin C for every 100 grams consumed. It also provides fiber and antioxidants. Other nutrients it contains are:

• Carotenoids.
• Flavonoids.
• Water.
• Vitamins B6 and B9.
• Capsaicin

4. Chile

The active ingredient in chili is capsaicin, a substance that gives it that spicy characteristic. Plus, it’s made up of water, carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and vitamins, and obviously includes a good fraction of vitamin C.

Provides 144 mg for every 100 grams of chili consumed. In addition, it has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

5. Parsley

Two tablespoons of parsley provide:

• 2% of the daily needs for calcium, iron and folic acid.
• 12% vitamin A.
• More than 150% vitamin K.
• 16% vitamin C.

It is a food that provides numerous benefits for the body, apart from fighting colds. For example:

• Contributes to the prevention of kidney stones.
• Provides relief from joint pain.
• Fight fatigue.
• Helps prevent and treat diabetes.

Conclution

In addition to these 5 remedies with vitamin C to overcome colds, there are more foods rich in this vitamin. We recommend an adequate consumption of them to keep your immune system in good condition. In case you have a cold, you can take advantage of its natural properties to fight it.