Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin also known as ascorbic acid.

Vitamin C is involved in collagen synthesis, wound healing, infection resistance, iron absorption, and is also an antioxidant.

In the U.S., the recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C was recently revised upward from 60 mg daily for men and women. The RDA continues to be based primarily on the prevention of deficiency, rather than the prevention of disease and the promotion of health. The RDA for smokers is higher than for non smokers, because smokers are under increased oxidative stress from the toxins in cigarette smoke and generally have lower blood levels of vitamin C.

Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, berries, mangoes, papaya, melons, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and green leafy vegetables.

References

National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements