The importance of Vitamin C Vitamin C is also known as the ascorbic acid and is a necessary nutrient for people and other animals. It is among the most essential vitamins for the human health. The nutrient is soluble in water and is not stored in the body of human beings. Vitamin C is an antioxidant which assists in body protection against pollution. It also promotes the development of healthy cells, normal tissues and repairs injuries as well as helping in the absorption of calcium (Institute of Medicine, 1997). The major function of ascorbic acid is that it assists in synthesizing collagen. This is an essential component of blood vessel, bones and ligaments. Ascorbic acid is also essential for the development of healthy gums and assists in safeguarding against infection. Since it is excreted from our bodies regularly, it becomes very important to supply it at the same rate. Vitamin C in the diet Any diet without vitamin C should be considered incomplete as the nutrient serves to prevent a number of diseases and enhance the immune system. These factors are pertinent to the roles played by other nutrients in our bodies. The vitamin can be taken with or without other foods and can be available in supplement form. In your diet, vitamin C remains the core nutrient to facilitate quick absorption of other nutrients. As noted earlier, ascorbic acid is soluble in water and thus acts as the medium through which some of the insoluble elements with nutritional value can be absorbed in our bodies. In addition, the availability of vitamin C makes it a substitute to other rare vitamins which enhance the same functions in our bodies. Therefore, it enriches the diet through various mechanical and nutritional functions that other vitamins cannot support. Disease prevention In prevention of the many diseases related to nutrition, Vitamin C is paramount as the nutrient has served protective role predominantly. In the old days, ascorbic acid was referred to as ‘antiscorbutic factor’ as it assisted in the prevention of scurvy (Carpenter, 1988). In those days when the disease was discovered, vitamin C obtained from lime prevented the gums and skins of sailors from swelling. Even today, ascorbic acid has been the only nutrient that prevents the disease from affecting us. Moreover, the role of disease prevention played by ascorbic acid extends beyond the gums and skin. The optimal intake of the nutrient is associated with the prevention of cancer, heart diseases, joint ailments and cataracts (El-Sokkary & Awadalla, 2011). The nutrient attains its protective outcome by working as an antioxidant and safeguarding our cells from any damage based on oxygen. Structures of our tissues that contain fat are especially reliant on ascorbic acid for protection. The nutritional value of vitamin C These arguments suggest that the nutritional value of ascorbic acid is the development of a healthy body. The nutrient enhances body systems such as the immune system, blood system and the digestion process. Another nutritional value of ascorbic acid is the significant interactions it has with a number of essential minerals in our bodies (Institute of Medicine, 1997). Optimal intake of the nutrient can influence copp