Vitamin C Rich Foods You Should Include In Your Diet

Vitamin C Rich Foods You Should Include In Your Diet

Why do I get cold so easily? Why do my kids have lower immunity? Have you at some point felt any of these questions arise in your mind? A, B, C, D, E, K – the list of vital Vitamins is bigger than one can remember.  In this article, we look at what Vitamin C foods are and how it is helpful to us.

What Is Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is important for the normal growth and development of the human body. It is essential that we include Vitamin C in our daily diet as our human body cannot store it. Our system uses only the required amount of Vitamin C on a daily basis, eliminating the rest via urine.

Vitamin C scientifically known as Ascorbic acid is an essential nutrient serving a number of important functions in our body:

  • It aids in the production of collagen, needed for the calcification of bones, teeth, and other tissues.
  • It also helps in the absorption of iron from plant based foods, prevents cell damage, and reduces the risk of certain cancers & chronic diseases.
  • Vitamin C protects the body from infections like cough and cold, keeping the immune system strong.

How To Consume Vitamin C?

This Vitamin is a highly sensitive nutrient that reacts to air, water & temperature. It is best to consume Vitamin C rich foods in their raw form. Boiling or steaming these foods, will reduce the quality by 25%.

  • Unthawing and freezing vegetables over a long period of time also lead to the loss of vitamin C.
  • Cooking vegetables for 20 to 30 minutes at a stretch can result in losing half of their worthy nutrients.
  • Reheating and canning decrease Vitamin C content by 2/3rd.

The Recommended dietary dosage of Vitamin C for men is 90 mg per day & 75 mg for women. However, pregnant and lactating mothers require 85 to 120 mg per day.

High Vitamin C Foods

There are a number of fruits and vegetables which contain Vitamin C in a natural form. It is also available in supplement forms like powder, drink mixes, tablets, capsules & crystals. While plants are generally a good source of Vitamin C, the amount of vitamin C in them depends on the origin, variety, soil, and climatic conditions where the plant was grown.

Another Vitamin C source is animals. They usually synthesize their own Vitamin C. Vitamin C is highly concentrated in the liver part. Some common foods high in vitamin c:

1. Citrus Fruits

Oranges are one of the most recognized citrus fruits with Vitamin C content in higher amounts. One medium sized orange contains 70 mg of Vitamin C and 62 calories. Oranges are preferred in their juice form, as they contain 61 to 93 mg of Vitamin C and 80 calories. This is one of our favorite Vitamin C foods.

In many of these fruits, Vitamin C is present in its peal as well. Grapefruit is another rich source of Vitamin C. Half a cup of grapefruit provides 50 mg of Vitamin C and 70 calories. A whole lemon contains around 40 mg of Vitamin C.

Oranges53.2 mg47.0 g
Grapefruit31.2 mg42.0 g
lemon53.0 mg29.0 g

2. Chillies

There are 3 varieties of chilies we find in the market: red, green and yellow.
Green chilies have very high amounts of Vitamin C in them. They provide 182% of our daily recommended requirement. Chilies are also a great source of several antioxidants and minerals.

Red & Yellow chilies contain around 65 mg of Vitamin C and provide 102% of our daily requirement.

If you are one of those who can handle hot and spicy foods, include chilies in your diet.

red144 mg40 g
green242 mg40.0 g

3. Bell Peppers

Red bell peppers are among the good sources of Vitamin C. One cup of raw bell pepper contains 142 mg of Vitamin C and just 20 calories. Cooked red bell pepper contains 116 mg of Vitamin C per cup with only 15 calories.

Green bell peppers are known to have maximum amounts of Vitamin C. Cooked green bell pepper provides 51 mg of Vitamin C.

Yellow bell peppers come second highest in nutritional value with 124 mg per 100 gms.

red bell pepper142 mg20 g
green bell peppers51 mg
yellow bell peppers124 mg

4. Rosehips

Rosehips are considered one of the top vitamin c foods. Fresh rosehips contain 200 mg of Vitamin C per 100 grams serving. This plant cannot be consumed in its uncooked form. Often these are available as supplements in capsule, powder, and syrup form.

Rosehips also helps in improving blood circulation in the body.

Rosehips426 mg162 g

5. Amla

Amla, also known as Indian Gooseberry contains high levels of Vitamin C. It has 600 to 1800 mg of Vitamin C per 100 grams of serving.

Fresh Amla juice contains 20 times more Vitamin C than orange juice.

Amla/Gooseberries27.7 mg44 g

7. Berries

Raspberries, Strawberries, and Blackberries are a powerhouse of nutrition. Bursting with healthy compounds like folate, fiber, and phytochemicals, they are rich in Vitamin C as well.
Berries help to improve memory and protect our body against cancer & heart diseases.
Strawberries make an ideal snack with their tangy taste and high nutrient value. They are delicious and make a great addition to desserts. Strawberries are full of fiber and antioxidants which helps to reduce oxidative stress and controls cholesterol.

There is a number of dishes you can make from Strawberries like strawberry shake, strawberry ice cream, or a wonderful smoothie.

Blackberries have around 180 mg of Vitamin C per 100 grams of serving. They are also rich in Potassium, Iron, and Vitamin B5.

Raspberries26.2 mg52.0 g
Strawberries58.8 mg32.0 g
Blackberries21.0 mg43.0 g

8. Papayas:

One medium papaya contains a whopping 182 mg of Vitamin C, which equals three times more than what an average person needs.

Papayas are also loaded with Vitamin A, Potassium, and Fiber. They are also very good at curing blemishes when applied to your face.

You can make a smoothie or just eat it raw for your daily dose of vitamin C.

Papayas61.8 mg39.0 g

9. Pineapple

Fresh pineapples have 79 mg of Vitamin C in a medium size cup serving. It constitutes about 131 % of the recommended daily requirement for us.

Apart from Vitamin C, pineapple also helps to relieve constipation and stomach troubles. It also has anti-inflammatory properties which promote healing and boosts immunity. Tropical pineapple makes a healthy addition to fruit salad and smoothies.

Pineapple47.8 mg50.0 g

10. Cantaloupe

One quarter of a medium cantaloupe has 47 mg of Vitamin C and 51 calories. It also contains Vitamin A and Potassium. To best preserve the nutritional content, never buy this fruit in cut form.

Certain nutrients especially Vitamin C can get diminished when exposed to air.×

Cantaloupe36.7 mg34.0 g

11. Guava:

Guavas provide as high as 228 mg of Vitamin C per 100 grams serving. These are considered as a superfood by many due to their nutrients like Folic acid, Potassium, Manganese, and Fiber.

Guava228 mg68.0 g

12. Thyme And Other Herbs:

Fresh and dried thymes are packed with high levels of vitamin C and other nutrients. They can be used in a number of food preparations like soups, stews, and salads. Thyme contains the highest level of Vitamin C with 160 mg per 100 grams.

Parsley provides 133 mg of Vitamin C per 100 grams. Herbs like basil, cilantro, green coriander, and chives are also good foods rich in Vitamin C. One tablespoon of Green coriander contains 12 mg of Vitamin C.

Thyme and other herbs50.0 mg276 g

13. Broccoli

Broccoli provides 89 mg of Vitamin C in 100 grams serving, enough to cover your daily Vitamin C requirement. It tastes delicious either in raw or in cooked form. Try having Broccoli, particularly during the flu season to boost your immune system.

Broccoli89.2 mg34.0 g

14. Cauliflower

Cauliflower provides 46 mg of Vitamin C per 100 grams of serving. Cauliflower makes a great addition to the diet for its Vitamin C, folate, and dietary fiber in it.

Cauliflower46.4 mg25.0 g

15. Cherries

West Indian Cherries and regular cherries are one of the best sources of Vitamin C. These colorful fruits provide 300% of our daily requirements for us. 1 cup of West Indian cherries contains 1650 mg of Vitamin C.

These cherries are also high in fiber and are great if you are planning to lose weight or feel bloated.

Eat to your heart’s content if you can find one of these vitamin c fruits in your local market!

Cherries7.0 mg63.0 g

16. Brussels Sprouts:

One serving of Brussels sprouts contains 550 mg of Vitamin C. They also contain a good level of Vitamin K, Folate, Vitamin A, Potassium, and Dietary Fiber.

Brussels sprouts85.0 mg43.0 g

17. Tomatoes

Bright red and cute looking tomatoes are also a common and best source of Vitamin C. Sun dried tomatoes are particularly high in this nutrient.

100 grams of tomatoes contain more than 100 mg of Vitamin C in them. This equals 170% of our daily Vitamin C requirement. They can be added to sandwiches and salads apart from their typical use in curries and food preparations.

Tomatoes12.7 mg18.0 g

18. Apricots

Apricots are a good source of Vitamin C and have very few calories in them. They help in lowering Cholesterol which helps against Heart diseases.

Apricots10.0 mg48 g

19. Cabbage

Cabbages are loaded with nutrition and are rich in Vitamin C. Cabbage contains 34 mg of Vitamin C per cup, half of the total recommended value for humans. Cabbages also help to fight off cancer and heart diseases.

Red cabbage provides a significant amount of nutrients. One cup of red cabbage contains 51 mg of Vitamin C along with Vitamin A, Fiber with only 28 calories.

Cabbage36.6 mg25.0 g

20. Turnips

These earthy-rooted, smoky-flavored, and pretty looking turnips are surprisingly full of vitamin C and essential Amino acids.

It also contains complex carbohydrates and Fibre which adds to its healing power.

Turnips11.6 mg22.0 g

21. Peas:

Fresh green peas are a good source of plant based proteins. An excellent source of Iron, Vitamin C, and other nutrients, peas helps to reduce the risk of developing cancer, depression, high cholesterol, and macular degeneration.

As an antioxidant, peas protect against Cataracts by fighting the free radicals.

Peas14.2 mg84.0 g

22. Cloves

Cloves and other spices used in our daily cooking are good sources of Vitamin C. One spoon of ground cloves provides 6 mg of Vitamin C.

These are a sure addition to Indian and Asian cuisines.

Cloves80.8 mg323 g

23. Mango

Who doesn’t love a Mango?

This colorful, tasty, and most loved fruit is a rich source of Vitamin C. An average mango contains 54 mg of Vitamin C which is nearly the entire recommended amount for a day.

Apart from Vitamin C, mangoes also contain a number of other Vitamins and Minerals to keep you healthy. It contains Vitamin A, E, B6, Copper, and Potassium to name a few.

Mango27.7 mg65 g

24. Spinach:

This superfood is not just a good source of vitamin C and Iron but it also contains a host of carotenoids and phytochemicals. These help in protecting against several health diseases and Macular degeneration.

Spinach28.1 mg23 g

25. Potatoes:

Potatoes are easy to store, inexpensive, and easy to prepare. Along with Vitamin C, Potatoes also contain carotenoids, flavonoids, and fiber.

Potatoes9.6 mg93 g

Now you know what foods have vitamin c and how often you should have them. Include these Vitamin C fruits and vegetables in your daily diet to develop a healthy body and a healthy life. Next time you see the weather change, stack up Vitamin C in your diet and stay safe from Cold and Cough!

Hope you liked our post on the top Vitamin C foods list. Please leave a comment if you would like to add some more foods with vitamin c to this list, or just let us know how you liked our article.

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