Vitamin C as an Antioxidant

Vitamin C is one of the most important antioxidants. Vitamin C safeguards the water-soluble substances in the body from damage by free radicals. Free radicals are molecules with an unpaired electron—they are hungry for another electron. Free radicals are unstable and react quickly with other compounds.

The History of Vitamin C

Lack of vitamin C for long periods of time can result in scurvy. Scurvy was first noticed during long sea voyages. The cause of the disease was not initially known. In 1536, a French explorer had his crew stricken with scurvy while exploring the St. Lawrence River.