Ascorbic acid or vitamin C is typically thought of to be found only in citrus fruits. But this is not always the case. To have this important vitamin, food doesn't have to taste sour.
Would you believe cauliflowers have as much vitamin C as medium size orange? Hard to believe, but it is true. In fact, eating just a cup of this beautiful and nutritious vegetable should take care of about half of the Recommended Daily Allowance for your Vitamin C needs. That's how much vitamin C cauliflower has.
Vitamin C is an essential, water-soluble vitamin-that is a common fact. But how exactly does it help us? What would happen if we do not have enough of it in our bodies?
One of the major things vitamin C can do for us is it boosts our immune system. When taken with vitamin E and beta-carotene, vitamin C would certainly help make your body stronger, thus, more resistant against viruses and bacteria that can cause illnesses.
Do you want to look young? Vitamin C is also a powerful anti-oxidant which slows down the ageing process by strengthening collagen tissues, keeping our skin moisturized and wrinkle-free.
Indeed, it is an essential vitamin that we have to have so we our bodies can function properly. And since our bodies cannot produce ascorbic acid, we must therefore obtain it from what we eat.
Now, what would happen if we do not have enough vitamin C in our bodies? One of the dreaded diseases you can get because of vitamin C deficiency is scurvy.
Scurvy has been a dreaded disease since the ancient times and it includes the following symptoms: weakness, loss of appetite, depression, bleeding of gums, degeneration of muscles.
An under supply of vitamin C will also cause edema, poor digestion, bruises, fractures and wounds won't heal easily. Ascorbic acid helps the body absorb and metabolize iron so if you don't take enough vitamin C, you also might get anemia.
Take care not to overcook cauliflowers. Any vegetable, cauliflowers included, lose their nutrients when they are overcooked. It also doesn't help that ascorbic acid is easily destroyed. Either lightly steam your cauliflowers or eat it raw as it has 20 percent more vitamins than cooked ones.
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