Vitamin C is an all-star essential vitamin that plays many important roles in keeping your body healthy by providing support for your immune system, brain function and tissue health (it's needed for the formation of collagen, a protein that supports your skin, bones, and muscles).  

Vitamin C also acts as a powerful antioxidant and disease-fighter, protecting your cells from unstable molecules called free radicals. Though free radicals are a normal by-product of cellular function, too many can be formed as a result of stress, poor diet and exposure to negative environmental factors. When free radicals outnumber antioxidants in your body, it leads to a condition called oxidative stress, which has been linked to chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.  

 

Pro Tip: To best absorb non-heme iron, aka plant-based iron, you need to give it a little boost by pairing it with a source of vitamin C. The vitamin C helps break the iron down into a form that the body can more easily absorb. It’s not enough to eat a daily diet that contains both nutrients — absorption of the iron will be much greater if the nutrients are paired in a single meal/snack.  Our Greens Daily Dose, Daily Greens Keto, Green's Detox & The Remedy Blends are all excellent sources of Vitamin C & Iron.  Find them here.

Here are some symptoms that might signify you're Vitamin C deficient (scurvy is a thing!):
Dry skin
Splitting hair
Gum disease
Anemia
Nosebleeds
Weakness
Skin problems
Poor healing of wounds
Easy bruising/bleeding
Joint/muscle pains

Try working more of these foods into your diet to make sure your Vitamin C game is strong:
1. Citrus fruits (especially lemons): these are also calming, anxiety-reducing, and mood-boosting!
2. Camu Camu: this berry boasts a huge V-C punch, which is why we've boosted the new Vita-C Immunity with it.
3. Acerola cherries: just half a cup of these cherries delivers 913% of the DVI.
4. Rose hips: the small tangy fruit from the rose bush packs.
5. Chili peppers: they also reduce inflammation and may help increase fat burning.
6. Yellow bell peppers: the Vitamin C content increases as they mature
7. Greens: especially kale, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and mustard spinach.
8.  Non-Citrus Fruits: especially kiwis, lychees, American persimmons, papayas, guavas, and strawberries.

The Vita-C Immunity is one of our summer blends.  We've added boosters and adaptogens to this antioxidant-packed, stress-fighting smoothie to make it a mega-boost for a healthy body and mind. 

For more on the 'why' behind this blend, check out its ingredients below:

Raspberries are high in fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They may protect against diabetes, cancer, obesity, arthritis and effects of aging. 
Cauliflower is naturally high in fibre, B-vitamins, antioxidants and phytonutrients that can protect against cancer. It also contains choline, an essential nutrient for learning and memory.
Pineapples are loaded with nutrients, contain disease-fighting antioxidants, and may ease symptoms of arthritis. Pineapples also support digestion, boost immunity, reduce inflammation, and may reduce the risk of cancer.
Mangoes contain high levels of Vitamin C, fibre and pectin and help control cholesterol levels. Mangoes also cleanse your skin and treat your pores to promote healthy, glowing skin.
Chia seeds are full of important nutrients, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, fibre, iron and calcium. They help raise HDL (the "good" cholesterol) that protects against heart attack and stroke.
Pink pitaya, or dragon fruit, is packed with Vitamin C, E, fibre, iron, magnesium, protein, betalains, carotenoids, and beneficial prebiotics. This disease-fighter also promotes a healthy gut, blood sugar levels, and immune system function.
Camu camu is a sour berry superfood that's rich in Vitamin C, powerful antioxidants, and antimicrobial properties. It supports weight loss, improves blood sugar levels, and helps fight inflammation.
Ashwagandha root is a stress-regulating adaptogen that improves brain and memory function, reduces blood sugar, cortisol, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and boasts anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

These are our Top 5 Vitamin-C packed blends (aside from the Vita-C Immunity, of course!):

Matcha Morning: 160% RDI
Be Green: 150% RDI
Greens Daily Dose: 150% RDI
Sweet Sleep Mango Kale: 110% RDI
Greens D-Tox: 110% RDI

Happy Blending!