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vitamin C
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Assorted citrus fruits including whole and halved oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes arranged closely together.
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Assorted citrus fruits including whole and halved oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes arranged closely together.
Citrus fruit and vitamin C Oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and limes are rich in vitamin C.

vitamin C

chemical compound
Also known as: ascorbic acid, cevitamic acid, hexuronic acid
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vitamin C, water-soluble, carbohydrate-like substance that is essential for human health. Chemically, it is a six-carbon organic compound closely related to carbohydrates. Its ability to readily donate electrons makes it a powerful antioxidant, enabling it to protect cells from damage caused by highly reactive molecules known as free radicals. Unlike most mammals, humans, other primates, guinea pigs, and some bats cannot synthesize vitamin C because they lack a key enzyme needed for its production. As...

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