It goes without saying that vitamin C is crucial for our body. It is the most important vitamin for our immune system. However, the body itself can not produce it. Reason why we get this vitamin from our diet. Only in case of deficiency, many people are turning to vitamin C supplements. But why not do it at home? Yes it's possible !
The recommended daily intake of vitamin C is 75 mg for women and 90 mg for men. When the body lacks vitamin C, the risk of many diseases increases. Fortunately, there is a simple way to prepare your 100% natural vitamin C supplement at home without having to buy it elsewhere. It may sound strange, but the only thing you need is citrus peel.
Why citrus?
What makes citrus fruits interesting is their flavonoid content. These compounds have antioxidant properties for the human body. Naringin is a type of flavonoid found in grapefruit, lemon and mandarin peels. It is an extremely powerful antioxidant that can actually reduce the damage caused to cells by free radicals.
Hesperidin is another flavonoid found in citrus peels. It is usually present in the white inner layer of lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit. According to a study published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer, this antioxidant has the ability to reduce the proliferation of cancer cells.
What are the benefits of vitamin C?
According to many studies, vitamin C has beneficial effects on several aspects of health:
1. Fight against high blood pressure
High blood pressure exposes the person to a risk of heart disease, it is the leading cause of death in the world.
According to an analysis of 29 human studies conducted by Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in Baltimore, USA, vitamin C can help lower blood pressure in people with hypertension or not.
In an animal study at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, taking a vitamin C supplement helped to relax the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart, which helped lower blood pressure.
2. Less risk of stroke
According to a study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, patients with the highest concentrations of vitamin C in the blood had a risk of stroke 42% lower than those with the lowest concentrations. It has also been noticed that people who eat a lot of fruits and vegetables have higher blood levels of vitamin C.
3. Improve the absorption of iron
Iron is an important nutrient that performs a variety of functions in the body. It is essential for making red blood cells and transporting oxygen throughout the body.
According to a 2010 Swiss study, vitamin C helps to convert low-absorbed iron, such as iron from plant sources, into a form that is easier to absorb.
This is very useful for people who do not eat meat or eat a meat-free diet because it is a major source of easily absorbed iron. Moreover, according to a study from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, consuming 100 mg of vitamin C can improve iron absorption by 67%. Therefore, vitamin C can prevent anemia in people predisposed to iron deficiency.
4. Protect memory and reflection
Dementia affects more than 35 million people around the world and generally affects older people.
According to a study published in the British Medical Journal, low levels of vitamin C in the body have been linked to an impaired ability to think and remember in the elderly.
How to prepare a homemade vitamin C supplement?
First, make sure to use organic citrus fruits, or wash them with vinegar to remove all traces of pesticides. You will need citrus peel.
Preparation:
Take the peels, cut them into thin strips and spread them on a baking sheet. Dehydrate them at 70 ° C for 5-7 hours until they become dry and crisp.
Then put these dry peels in a blender and crush them until you get a powder.
Then put the resulting powder in an airtight container and store it in a cool place.
You should consume one spoon of this vitamin C every day.