*This is not a sponsored post. Opinions belong to jenny at dapperhouse.
When asked to name a food that contains Vitamin C the majority of us answer with “oranges”. Vitamin C used to be the most popular “go-to” for preventing colds. While science has found that the healing properties we once assigned to Vitamin C don’t hold the amount of power, that doesn’t mean that you should toss it aside. It is still proven true that increasing Vitamin C during a cold can reduce symptoms and the duration of the cold. Vitamin C is chock full of anti-oxidants that boost immune function and treat a host of other ailments. Want to get your C? Here are 5 other foods that have just as much or more vitamin C than oranges.
Strawberries
Strawberries are best when dipped in chocolate – oh, dang, wrong article . . . let me start again. . . (clears throat) Strawberries are best because they contain lots of essential minerals that our body needs like copper, potassium, biotin, phosphorus, magnesium and more. Not to mention that the antioxidants in strawberries have been proven to fight aging and increase cardiovascular health. Plus, they pack a whole lot more vitamin C than oranges (and taste better dipped in chocolate…. Or do they?)
Papaya
Papaya has a lot of the same health benefits as strawberries. I use frozen papaya a lot in my smoothies because while I don’t love the taste of papaya on its own, I do love the benefits that it provides my body and it tastes so good in a blend with other ingredients. Folate, fiber, B vitamins and SO MUCH Vitamin C.
Move over fruits! There are plenty of healthy veggies with Vitamin C as well.
Cauliflower
I love cauliflower because it is so crunchy and contains quite a bit of protein (for a vegetable). It has Vitamin K, folate, minerals and the same amount of potassium as a banana!
Red Chili Peppers
If you watch Orange is the New Black you may have learned from season one that Chili Peppers get their heat from on ingredient called capsaicin (which Piper made into a lotion for Red to ease her back pain). But peppers also deliver a potent punch of vitamin C. Peppers also boost metabolism, fight some cancers and regulate heart disease. Overall, this is a spicy way to clean out those sinuses and get healthy!
Kale
I’ll bet you didn’t expect to see Kale on the list, or did you? Kale has gained so much popularity lately because if it’s long overlooked nutrition. I myself have been making (and posting) more recipes with Kale lately and using it more often because it is packed with fiber, Omega 3’s, B Vitamins and of course, tons of vitamin C.
Vitamin C absolutely reverses the signs of aging on skin by stimulating the production of collagen and making skin more elastic. Vitamin C fixes sun damage, particularly fine lines and age spots… no really, it erases wrinkles and age spots by healing sun damage!
Using Vitamin C internally and externally is highly beneficial to your health and your overall life. And while you can still drink that fresh squeezed o.j. to charge up your immunities, you now know that there are a lot of other options for getting your “C”!
Monique@The Urban Mum
Perfect day to read this, I have a cold and having been looking for every form of Vitamin C I can get my hands on. My husband eats oranges every day, and my father has taken a vitamin c tablet every day for 40 years – both look younger than their years and NEVER get sick. Absolutely something in this…thank you for the heads up…x
Melissa
I had no clue! Chili peppers, really?! So good to know.
Tonya
I love all the foods on this list. I just need to get better about eating them more often. And yes…strawberries definitely taste better dipped in chocolate 😉
Jennifer
Thanks for this list! I had no idea that chili peppers had anything in them other than intense heat!
diane
We eat a ton of strawberries in the summer. Have a huge bowl on the counter right now. Great list….
Amber Edwards
I was really surprised that cauliflower has so much vitamin C! WOW! Good to know.