Global leader in natural ingredients, Nexira shares the function and benefit of vitamins for the body. This article focuses on vitamin C powder, a recognized antioxidant also involved in the synthesis of many molecules like collagen and carnitine.
Vitamins are essential nutrients that have many different functions in body metabolism reactions and support overall good health. These organic molecules are micronutrients – we need them in small amounts. Vitamins do not provide energy to the body but are still necessary for the proper functioning of many physiological processes. Vitamins are either water- (vitamins B, C) or fat-soluble (vitamins A, D, E, K); each with different functionalities. They mainly play a role as co-enzymes, in antioxidant and hormonal activity. This article focuses on Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid.
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, that can not be synthesized and is not well stored by the body. The Recommended Dietary Allowance for adults (19+) is 90 mg for men and 75 mg for women each day. The requirements are quite high for a micronutrient, and it explains why it is recommended to eat more than 3 portions of fruits and vegetables every day. It is important to note that smoking can deplete vitamin C and so, the requirements are 35mg higher than the normal RDA. Yet, deficiency of vitamin C is rare in developed countries but may occur with a limited diet poor in fruits and vegetables. Smoke, drug and alcohol abuse can also lead to a vitamin C deficiency. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) is 2000 mg daily. Vitamin C overdose is very rare but can lead to harmful health effects like gastrointestinal distress and diarrhea. (Institute of Medicine (US), 2000)
Vitamin C plays many different roles: it is a recognized antioxidant, it is required for the biosynthesis of carnitine, collagen and neurotransmitters, it facilitates iron absorption and is involved in the synthesis and modulation of some nervous and immune system components. (HSPH, 2012)
Antioxidants are molecules that delay or inhibit the oxidation process by breaking the chain reaction of free radicals. Their ability to give an electron or hydrogen to free radicals will make them stable, and switch off their oxidative activity.
Vitamin C has the ability to neutralize free radicals before they start the oxidation of lipids. The vitamin inhibits oxidative damage in the aqueous phase and can recycle and regenerate other antioxidants like vitamin E. (Yadav et al., 2016) Vitamin C also is an essential cofactor in collagen biosynthesis, a fibrous protein found in connective tissue in many parts of the body: nervous and immune systems, bone, cartilage, blood and skin. Ascorbic acid is a powerful antioxidant that may prevent oxidative stress and help boost the body’s immune system. (Cahill et El-Sohemy, 2011)
Vitamin C is involved in different biosynthesis molecules, including carnitine and collagen.
Vitamin C is a cofactor with iron in two steps of the carnitine biosynthesis via enzymatic reactions. Carnitine is an amino acid biosynthesized from lysine and methionine. Around 25% of the total body carnitine is biosynthesized. This amino acid plays a role in the transport of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria, which is essential to produce energy in the body. Carnitine also has an antioxidant activity. Vitamin C deficiency may alter carnitine metabolism. (Scott et Stuart, 2020) (Herrera et Ortega-Senovilla, 2017)
Ascorbic acid is also necessary with iron for the biosynthesis of collagen, the most abundant protein in humans. Collagen is a structural protein that contributes to the mechanical properties and shape of tissues. There are 28 types of collagen. Fibrillar collagen participates in the resistance of ligaments and the tensile strength of the skin. Other collagens are involved in adult articular cartilage and tissue junctions, such as the myotendinous junction in skeletal and heart muscle, and neuromuscular junction. Vitamin C deficiency may cause defective collagen formation. (Ricard-Blum, 2011)
Vitamin C also improves the absorption of non-heme iron, the plant-based sourced iron. This element of dietary supplement is crucial for vegetarians and vegans, as this iron is only absorbed at 1-10%. Ascorbic acid can even reverse the inhibiting effect of substances like tea on non-heme iron absorption. There is a proportional correlation between the absorption of non-heme iron and the quantity of vitamin C in a meal. Including a vitamin-C-rich food with vegetarian meals may help boost non-heme iron absorption. (HSPH, 2012) (Skolmowska et Głąbska, 2019)
Vitamin C has excellent bioavailability, which corresponds to the rate at which the vitamin is absorbed and used in the body. However, the vitamin is very sensitive to heat and light, particularly in the presence of water, as it is a water-soluble vitamin. The processing step of ingredients and supplements is very important, as it directly impacts the quantity and quality of the vitamin. Nexira carefully selects and processes vitamin-rich ingredients to offer a powerful range of functional powders: POW(D)ER. Discover our superfood powders and their health benefits!
Multiple natural foods are rich in vitamin C, especially colorful fruits. Nexira offers a wide range of vitamin-dense juice and fruit powders including Camu Camu fruit powder and Acerola juice powder. Other ingredients, such as Lemon and Baobab powders, are rich in vitamin C.
Native to the lush South American climate, Camu Camu is grown on the banks of the Amazon River. Inside Peru’s Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, the indigenous communities have become protectors of their threatened forests. Nexira promotes the sustainable development of the camu camu agroindustry and the use of this precious natural resource. Camu Camu fruits are rich in a variety of phytonutrients such as Vitamin C. Galvanic Camu powder contains 20% Vitamin C, while the organic powder checks in at 8%, 10 times the vitamin C of one orange. These superfood berries may help to galvanize the immune system and aid the body’s overall vitality, as well as help reduce fatigue.
Pimp your nutritional powder with our Galvanic Camu powder! Its high solubility makes it perfectly suitable for smoothies and beverage powders. Camu powder is already known for its high nutritional value, containing essential vitamin C, antioxidants and fibers. Include our nutritious and delicious natural powder to enhance the taste and color intensity of your functional beverages/powder!
Acerola fruits are cherry-like berries, recognizable by their radiant red color. The berries are sourced from the shrub-like Acerola plant, native to the tropical regions of the Western Hemisphere. Acerola was used in traditional folk medicine to help those suffering from different diseases. Nexira carefully selects and processes the delicate berries to retain their naturally high nutrient content. Sunny Acerola juice powder contains 17% Vitamin C and is a source of phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanins compounds, which all are antioxidants. Antioxidants and Vitamin C support the immune system and have also been known to help reduce fatigue. Acerola’s Vitamin C content is at least 50 times that of oranges or lemons.
Easily increase your beverage’s vitamin C content and boost its nutritional value with our Sunny Acerola Powder, a blend of antioxidants and vitamins! This high-soluble powder contains 17% vitamin C, making it an ideal choice for healthy beverages like smoothies, juices and vitamin shots. Mix up our Sunny Acerola, Galvanic Camu, Balanced Lemon, and Gravitational Baobab powders with fruits and veggies of your choice to obtain a flavorful and nourishing drink!
Integrating specific natural ingredients may help prevent oxidative stress, boost your vitality, and promote overall good health. As we explained in this article, Acerola and Camu powders are naturalingredients highly rich in Vitamin C. Nexira developed these products as part of POW(D)ER from Mother Nature, an innovative range of powerful ingredients. The nutrient-dense range of powders from Nexira is 100% natural and minimally processed.
Join Nexira on this sensory journey encompassing taste, texture, and color – and start creating nutrition that is evolutive with market trends, harnessing the powerful forces of nature in recognizable superfoods – in a whole new way!
HSPH., 2012. Vitamin C In The Nutrition Source [en ligne]. Date de consultation : 03/11/2023. Disponible sur : < https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-c/ >
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