Whenever we fall sick, our first instinct is to reach for some vitamin C to give our immune system some support. But apart from maintaining a healthy immune system, did you know that vitamin C boasts many other health benefits too?

Our bodies require energy for virtually everything that we do — from getting out of bed in the morning to a rigorous workout in the gym, and everything else in between. And even though getting sufficient sleep and nutrients from a balanced diet is essential in maintaining your energy level, sometimes you might need extra help. And that’s where vitamin C comes in.

Read on to find out how vitamin C supports your energy levels, and how you can achieve it through a balanced diet and supplements.

Overview of vitamin C benefits

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient that our body requires to function properly. It’s most often acquired through the food we eat — as a water-soluble substance it’s not easily dissolved, but our bodies absorb it so rapidly that we need to replenish it on a daily basis.

Apart from notably providing support for a healthy immune system, vitamin C is also involved in many body functions such as the formation of collagen, absorption of iron, wound healing, and the maintenance of bones, joints and teeth. It also helps to maintain liver function and brain health.

With so many benefits mentioned, you definitely want to be keeping track of your vitamin C intake to keep your body strong and healthy!

Can vitamin C give you energy?

Considering how vitamin C helps support healthy immune function, a deficiency in it can lead to increased instances of infection, further development of new or existing medical conditions, as well as impair the body’s ability to recover from injury.

In addition to this, vitamin C also benefits our energy levels by maintaining and supporting energy production. How, you ask? Vitamin C works closely with the mitochondria, the part of the cell that produces energy.

Vitamin C plays a critical role in the transport of fatty acids necessary for generating metabolic energy. It’s also a critical nutrient needed to maintain mitochondrial health, so that your mitochondria can continue producing energy at an optimum rate. Without vitamin C supporting mitochondrial health, you would suffer from low moods and insufficient energy — which can potentially be exacerbated by conditions brought about by winter.

Additionally, during times of stress, the adrenal glands consume large amounts of vitamin C to produce and regulate cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine. In fact, the adrenal glands contain some of the highest concentrations of vitamin C in the body. When your body is under physical or emotional stress, these reserves can quickly deplete, leading to feelings of fatigue, low energy, and difficulty managing stress.

A lack of vitamin C can affect various aspects of your life. It may become extremely difficult to sustain productivity at work or school, socialise, make time for exercise, or simply enjoy your day-to-day lives.

Recommended sources of vitamin C for energy

Below are some of the sources of vitamin C that you can opt for to get an energy boost:

A well-rounded and healthy diet

Our bodies get most of the vitamins it needs from the food we eat. With a balanced diet, you can provide your body with sufficient nutrients to stay healthy. Here’s a helpful list of foods that you can always have ready at home, and perhaps consider stocking up on them during the winter, when you need more vitamin C for energy.

Animal products
Go beyond meat and poultry if you want to reap the benefits of vitamin C. Most traditional animal meats do not contain sufficient amounts of vitamin C. However, other animal products such as liver, kidney, fish roe, and eggs are great sources of vitamin C.

Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are great sources of vitamin C for energy. But here’s a fun fact — you might want to ditch that orange for better options when it comes to fruits and vegetables with high vitamin C content. Surprisingly, other fruits such as kiwis, lemons, grapefruits, most berries, and papayas have higher vitamin C content than oranges.

As for vegetables — capsicums, tomatoes, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbages, and cauliflower make great options to be included in your balanced diet.

Supplementation: A convenient way to meet your Vitamin C needs

While maintaining a balanced diet is the best way to get essential nutrients, lifestyle or dietary restrictions can sometimes make it challenging to meet your daily vitamin C requirements. That’s where vitamin C supplements come in — they’re a safe, convenient, and an effective solution to fill nutritional gaps and support your overall health.

Vitamin C supplements should complement, not replace, a healthy diet. Therefore, paired with nutrient-rich foods, they can help you maintain energy levels, support immunity, and improve overall wellness. If you’re looking for high-quality vitamin C supplements, Vitable has you covered. Our range includes customised multivitamin subscription packs designed to fit your individual health needs and goals. Simply complete a short online quiz, and we’ll tailor a supplement plan just for you.

Delivered in home-compostable daily packs, our vitamins offer a hassle-free solution to staying on top of your health. Made with premium ingredients, backed by science, and proudly crafted in Australia, Vitable’s supplements are an easy and sustainable way to prioritise your well-being. Start your journey to better health today with Vitable — because feeling your best begins with the right nutrients!

Find out more about other supplements that can help you with energy:

Iron | Ashwagandha | Magnesium | B complex | Acetyl L-carnitine | Vitamin C | Vitamin B12

*Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional. Vitamin and/or mineral supplements should not replace a balanced diet.