Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) Explained

A selection of fruits and vegetables

Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) is a water soluble vitamin and is probably the most well known vitamin of them all.  The discovery of vitamin C was the result of a search for a cure for scurvy (a disease which leads to problems with the connective tissue now known to be caused by a lack of vitamin C).  Scurvy has been reported to affect explorers, sailors and soldiers throughout history.  This is now thought to be because they stuck to a diet of dry biscuits and salted beef.  They did not often take fruit and vegetables with them on their travels because they were not easy to … [Read more...]