Vitamin C

As one of the five important Network Antioxidants, Vitamin C is essential to your well being. While most animals produce their own Vitamin C, mankind has lost this ability.

Alcohol inhibits Vitamin C absorption, which can lead to anemia and a reduced resistance to disease. Since alcohol depresses the immune system, Vitamin C helps you fight off the cold by increasing white blood cell production, thus acting as an immune system booster.^[1]

It has been shown to regenerate other antioxidants within the body, including d-Alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E).^[2] This has led to additional research to examine whether Vitamin C, by limiting free radicals' damaging effects through its antioxidant activity, might help prevent or delay the development of certain diseases in which oxidative stress plays a causal role.^[2][3][4]

Detoxifying alcohol is hard work! It leaves free radicals floating around the body. Luckily, Vitamin C is an excellent antioxidant,^[5] so having enough of it available supports against tissue damage and hangover discomfort.^[3]

Ingredient Research
1. Thurnham, D. I.. 1997. Micronutrients and immune function: some recent developments. J. Clin. Pathol. 50:887.
2. Jacob RA, Sotoudeh G. Vitamin C function and status in chronic disease. Nutr Clin Care 2002;5:66-74.
3. McGregor GP, Biesalski HK. Rationale and impact of vitamin C in clinical nutrition. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care
    2006; 9:697–703.
4. Carr AC, Frei B. Toward a new recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C based on antioxidant and health
    effects in humans. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;69:1086-107.
5. Frei B, England L, Ames BN. Ascorbate is an outstanding antioxidant in human blood plasma. Proc Natl Acad Sci
    U S A 1989;86:6377-81.

Additional Resources
1. U.S. National Institutes of Health: Vitamin C Fact Sheet
2. Wikipedia: Vitamin C
3. BBC: Vitamin C 'Slows Cancer Growth'
4. BBC: Vitamin C 'Helps to Fight Cancer'