Last Updated on March 28, 2023
National Vitamin C Day is an annual celebration on April 4th. This day is marked to remember the health benefits of Vitamin C and encourage people to include more of this nutrient in their everyday lives for good health. This day was celebrated to create awareness about the importance of Vitamin C and spread the word.
History of National Vitamin C Day
National Vitamin C Day is a celebration of the discovery of Vitamin C by Dr. James Lind in 1747. Dr. Lind found Vitamin C is a vital nutrient in preventing scurvy. Scurvy is a disease that often affects sailors on long sea voyages. Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits, so National Vitamin C Day is a good time to eat Vitamin C loaded foods or supplements.
The importance of vitamin C was further emphasized in the early 1900s when a disease called beriberi was discovered in Japan. A deficiency of vitamin B1 caused beriberi, but it was found that the disease could also be cured by consuming citrus fruits, which are high in vitamin C.
In 1932, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Albert Szent-Györgyi for his discovery of a chemical called Vitamin C. Szent-Györgyi found this compound in plants, and this work helped to create synthetic Vitamin C.
Why Celebrate National Vitamin C Day?
Vitamin C is important for keeping your body healthy. It helps to grow and repair tissues, produces collagen, and absorbs iron from plant-based foods. Vitamin C also acts as an antioxidant, which helps to protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. All this makes Vitamin C a superfood for good health.
National Vitamin C Day is a day to raise awareness about the importance of getting enough Vitamin C in our diet. It’s also a good time to remind people to eat fresh fruits and vegetables high in Vitamin C.
How to Celebrate National Vitamin C Day
There are many ways to celebrate National Vitamin C Day. Here are a few suggestions:
- Eat Vitamin C-rich foods: A good diet with Vitamin C rich fruits and vegetables is the best way to celebrate this day. Ensure to include oranges, strawberries, kiwi fruit, bell peppers, broccoli, and kale.
- Take a Vitamin C supplement: If you don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables, you can consider taking a vitamin C supplement to balance out.
- Make a Vitamin C smoothie: This is another fabulous celebration of this day. Make a lip-smacking Vitamin C smoothie. You’ll need some vitamin C-rich fruits like oranges, strawberries, kiwi fruit, yogurt, and ice. It’s a delicious and healthy way to get your daily dose of vitamins!
- Share information about Vitamin C: On this day, make the most of social media to share information about the health benefits of Vitamin C and how important it is to include this nutrient in your diet.
Fun Facts About Vitamin C
- The recommended daily vitamin C intake for adults is 75-90mg.
- The body cannot produce Vitamin C, so it must be obtained through diet or supplements.
- Oranges are not the only fruit that is high in Vitamin C. Other fruits such as kiwi fruit, strawberries, and papaya contain even higher levels of this nutrient.
- Vitamin C is water-soluble, which means that excess amounts are excreted in the urine.
- It is best to consume raw or lightly cooked Vitamin C-rich foods as Vitamin C is sensitive to heat.
In conclusion, National Vitamin C Day must be celebrated yearly to raise awareness of the health benefits of this essential nutrient. Make sure to spread the word about this day for overall health and well-being. The best way is to start including food rich in Vitamin C rather than opting for supplements.
