Vitamin C Helps Us Reduce Stress

According to various studies, vitamin C helps us reduce stress and even improves cognitive processes. It does this first by reducing the level of cortisol in the blood. Likewise, it also acts on the nervous system, since it favors the formation of myelin in neurons. In this way, it improves cell communication and thereby optimizes processes such as memory.

Such classic sayings as ” the orange, the lemon and the pomegranate first of all” , give us an example of the appreciation that these foods have had in our culture. Thus, in the past, and to face those hard boat trips that our sailors carried out, among the basic cargo there were always citrus fruits to prevent scurvy.

Now, in our day to day we almost always relate vitamin C as that key element to prevent colds and flu. However, it should be noted that this type of nutrient, by itself, does not save, cure or prevent ailments. Yes, it helps us to prevent, to strengthen our defenses and to favor a series of basic processes that can mediate our well-being.

It is an essential nutrient and as such, it must be in our diet. However, it is also interesting to know that vitamin C helps us to have a healthier brain. Let’s look at the data that supports this idea.

Mechanisms by which vitamin C helps us reduce stress

A study from the Oregon Health and Science University was the door to the world of an interesting discovery. It was seen that  when a person is deficient in vitamin C, the GABA-like receptors stop working properly. Let’s think that gamma-aminobutyric acid has very important functions within the central nervous system:

• A low level of this neurotransmitter is associated with anxiety disorders, insomnia or depression.
• On the other hand, having a high amount of GABA favors processes such as relaxation, concentration, memory, the reduction of the feeling of fear or alarm, etc.

Dr. Henrique von Gersdorff, scientist and co-author of the study, points out that  vitamin C probably has a more important function than we thought in our brain.

In fact, it is also known that it favors the synthesis of several neurotransmitters, and that its presence is essential to convert dopamine into serotonin and that it also modulates the release of neurotransmitters in nerve cells.

The brain needs vitamin C

Vitamin C helps us reduce stress because it basically acts as a neuromodulator. Thus, and although we are often told that we must increase the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables to have this essential nutrient, it is interesting to remember a curious aspect.

The part of our body that seems to need vitamin C the most is the brain. In fact, it has been found that when the human body is deprived of vitamin C, this element remains in the brain for longer than anywhere else in our body.

Science still does not understand how many processes and mechanisms it can mediate. However, there is one that is known and that has been demonstrated: vitamin C reduces the level of cortisol in the blood.

• Studies such as the one carried out by Doctors Oliveira J, de Souza VV and Motta V in 2015, showed that vitamin C helps us reduce stress and anxiety, by regulating the production of this hormone (cortisol).

• In addition, in this study it was possible to see how a group of high school students scored better in memory and concentration tasks, after a few months increasing their consumption of vitamin C
• Vitamin C is also essential for the synthesis of collagen. Thanks to this element, not only the health and resistance of the teeth or bones are taken care of. In addition, we improve the integrity and resistance of blood vessels, something essential to optimize our cognitive processes.

How can we take care of our vitamin C levels?

As curious as it may seem, and as specialists indicate, it is very common to have an insufficient level of vitamin C. We always think that without this essential element, we will be more prone to conditions such as colds or poor wound healing.

However, as we have pointed out, the organ that seems to need vitamin C the most is the brain. Without it we will feel more exhausted. We will have concentration problems, in addition to a greater feeling of stress. Likewise, we must also remember that we need ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to improve the absorption of iron.

So let’s see what we should do to improve their levels.

• The recommended daily intake of vitamin C is between 75 and 90 milligrams.
• Instead of resorting to the classic supplements, it is always better to follow a proper diet rich in the following foods:
  • Oranges and lemons.
  • Mangoes
  • Grenades
  • Gooseberries
  • Guavas.
  • Broccoli
  • Red peppers.
  • Strawberries

To conclude, we already know that vitamin C helps us reduce stress. However, let’s not forget to also improve our lifestyle habits. Avoiding tobacco, practicing sports and integrating adequate relaxation techniques and anxiety and stress management into our day-to-day activities will also help us.