vitamin C [vit C]

A water-soluble vitamin.

It is need for collagen formation, synthesising compounds involved in nerve transmission (e.g. noradrenaline), its antioxidant properties, and iron absorption.

Some foods high in vitamin C: citrus fruits, berries, but also some vegetables like parsley or peppers.

It is also a common dietary supplement.

It should be noted that vitamin C is heat-sensitive: cooking can totally degrade it. Its high nutrient retention factors may be mitigated with ‘gentler’ cooking methods such as steaming.

Synonyms:
ascorbic acid