Why Vitamin C Is Important for Your Child? Sources of Vitamin C

Curious "Why Does My Child Need Vitamin C?" Vitamin C is one of the important vitamins that your child needs to consume daily. Also known as ascorbic acid, Vitamin C has beneficial effects; it is an antioxidant, helps boost immunity, helps avoid the common cold, and most importantly helps in iron absorption in the body. Here, our nutritionist, Puja Vashisht, tells you why Vitamin C is important and how to consume it and its sources.

Why Vitamin C is So Important in Child's Diet?

Here you should look at few benefits of consuming vitamin c raw or in else:

Good Anti-oxidant

By acting as an antioxidant, Vitamin C helps in reducing the damage caused by free radicals. These free radicals are produced not only in our body but also from the smoke and pollution surrounding us these days. By keeping up the intake of vitamin C in your child’s diet, you can help minimize the ill-effects of pollution to some extent.

Good Immunity Booster

Vitamin C plays a direct role in the immune system. Several cells, including phagocytes and t-cells, require Vitamin C to perform their tasks. Thus, a deficiency can result in a reduced resistance against some pathogens, i.e disease-causing microbes.

Provide Relief from Common Cold 

Studies suggest that Vitamin C might shorten the duration of the common cold and may help reduce the severity of it.

Healing in Wounds 

Children fall while playing, ending up with injuries and bruises. Giving your child enough Vitamin C helps in wound healing, by helping in collagen formation. When this vitamin is deficient in the diet, tissues like collagen and intercellular cement are not formed fully, which delays wound healing.

Iron Absorption Capacity 

In our largely vegetarian population, iron deficiency anemia is quite common. Eating foods rich in Vitamin C along with iron-rich foods helps in better absorption of iron from the food. Children need enough iron for proper growth and development and Vitamin C helps in that.  Helpful Reading: What Signs Of Vitamin C Deficiency Should you Watch Out For?

Ways Consume Enough Vitamin C?

Since vitamin C is water-soluble and easily destroyed by heat, the best vitamin c sources are fresh fruits and vegetables, eaten raw. Here are some good sources of vitamin c:

Citrus Fruits: Include at least one citrus fruit (like orange, kinu, mausambi or lemon) in your child’s daily diet. #ParentuneTip: The best way is to eat the fruits is as they are. You can even juice these and freeze them to get fresh juice ice lollies.

Amla: The Indian gooseberry is one of the richest sources of vitamin C. Youcan include it in chutneys, juices, etc.

Other Fruits & Vegetables: Guavas, grapes, strawberries, kiwis, and vegetables like capsicum, broccoli, and tomato are good sources of vitamin C. Add them to your child’s salad, pizzas, pasta, etc.

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