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ascorbic acid
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Ascorbic Acid
Relatively simple organic acid found in citrus fruits and vegetables. It is soluble in water and destroyed by prolonged boiling, so soaking or overcooking of vegetables reduces their vitamin C content. Lack of ascorbic acid results in scurvy.
In the human body, ascorbic acid is necessary for the correct synthesis of collagen. Lack of vitamin C causes skin sores or ulcers, tooth and gum problems, and burst capillaries (scurvy symptoms) owing to an abnormal type of collagen replacing the normal type in these tissues.
Unlike other vitamins, ascorbic acid has not been found to have any negative effects if it is ‘overdosed’.
© Research Machines plc 2008. All rights reserved. Helicon Publishing is a division of Research Machines plc.
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