Our body functions every day thanks to our immune system. However, a lack of a certain vitamin can hamper one of the most important aspects of our bodily functions. Vitamin C helps to strengthen our immunity, keeps our skin shining and boosts wound healing.
Let us explore vegetables rich in Vitamin C that you can incorporate into your diet.
Locally known as amla, this small, round and green fruit is a powerhouse of Vitamin C. It has anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants that boost immunity and enhance skin glow. It hosts 20% more Vitamin C content than oranges.
Experts suggest eating two Indian gooseberries daily for the best results. You can make amla juice or have it in its dried form.
Yellow capsicum or bell peppers are rich in Vitamin C content. They have twice the amount of Vitamin C as green bell peppers, making them a delicious addition to your diet. Moreover, their vitamin content steadily increases with maturity. It can help prevent cataracts and boost eye health.
Yellow bell peppers are versatile, and you can add them to just about any dish. You can sprinkle some in fried rice or use them in a nutritious salad.
Spice lovers are in luck! Green chillies provide an excellent source of Vitamin C. Indian households naturally use green chillies in most dishes. They offer metabolic regulation and pain-relieving properties as well. 100 grams of this green spice contains around 109.1 mg of Vitamin C.
Commonly referred to as Kathal, this fruit packs a punch of Vitamin C. Unripe jackfruit is popularly used in many Indian dishes. A cup of sliced jackfruit contains up to 25% of the daily vitamin C intake.
Unripe jackfruit is a staple in India. Its versatility allows it to be incorporated into various dishes. You can make delicious jackfruit curry or biryani. You can also have ripe jackfruit as an evening snack.
Another Vitamin C-packed vegetable is broccoli. 100 grams of broccoli contain 89.2 mg of Vitamin C. This cruciferous vegetable is similar to cauliflower in texture and can be used as a substitute.
You can boil broccoli and have it with rice. Additionally, you can use them in a hearty bowl of salad.
Among its many benefits, Vitamin C also helps in memory retention. Papayas contain high amounts of Vitamin C, amounting to 98% of daily intake. Essentially, one cup of it can have up to 88 mg of Vitamin C.
These are milky in texture, offering easy incorporation. You can make papaya smoothies if you are a smoothie enthusiast. You can also combine it with chaat masala to give it a spicy kick.
While everyone villainises potatoes, they pack almost 72mg of Vitamin C. Sweet potatoes, too, have high Vitamin C content. Plus, they have beta-carotene and fibre. Potatoes are a staple in India.
These Vitamin C-rich vegetables and fruits help boost your immune system and fight off diseases. Adopt a balanced diet full of these to see maximum benefits.