How to make your own vitamin C shots at home — and 6 reasons why
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Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, plays multiple roles in our body. From helping to build a strong immune system to enabling us to overcome deficiencies, there are multiple health benefits that this vitamin offers to the human body. Fortunately, this vitamin is available in abundance in various fruits, vegetables, and other meals. However, there are chances that you can still be deficient in this vital vitamin. To combat this, how about making yourself vitamin C shots at home? These are easy to make, and you can have it anytime during the day to keep yourself fresh and energized. The good part is that it will help keep seasonal allergies at bay! Let us tell you how to make a vitamin C shot and its benefits.
What is a vitamin C shot?
A shot can be compared to an injection! Just like an injection goes directly into your bloodstream, a vitamin C shot works a similar way. It is a concentrated dose of vitamin C, mostly taken in liquid form, to provide a quick and potent boost of this essential nutrient. Vitamin C is essential as it boosts immunity, promotes collagen production for healthy skin, and protects the body from oxidative stress caused by free radicals, says nutritionist Avni Kaul.
These shots are usually made from fresh, vitamin C-rich ingredients like citrus fruits, berries, and greens. By delivering a high dose of vitamin C in a small amount, these shots help support overall health, energy levels, and immunity.
How to make vitamin C shots at home?
Vitamin C shots can be easily made at home within no time, and you can use various concoctions to maintain variety in taste. All you need is a set of ingredients that you put together in a mixer! Here are a few simple ways to make them:
1. Citrus shot
• Ingredients: Fresh orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, a pinch of turmeric and black pepper.
• Vitamin C content:
Orange juice (1 cup): Approximately 124 mg of vitamin C.
Lemon juice (1 tablespoon): About 7 mg of vitamin C.
Lime juice (1 tablespoon): Approximately 7 mg of vitamin C.
• Total: About 138 mg of vitamin C per serving.
2. Green shot
• Ingredients: Kale, spinach, kiwi, lemon juice and honey
• Vitamin C Content:
Kale (1 cup, chopped): Roughly 80 mg of vitamin C.
Spinach (1 cup, cooked): About 17 mg of vitamin C.
Kiwi (1 medium): Around 71 mg of vitamin C.
Lemon juice (1 tablespoon): About 7 mg of vitamin C.
• Total: Approximately 175 mg of vitamin C per serving.
3. Berry boost shot
• Ingredients: Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, lemon juice.
• Vitamin C Content:
Strawberries (1 cup, halved): About 89 mg of vitamin C.
Raspberries (1 cup): Roughly 32 mg of vitamin C.
Blueberries (1 cup): Approximately 14 mg of vitamin C.
Lemon juice (1 tablespoon): About 7 mg of vitamin C.
• Total: Around 142 mg of vitamin C per serving.
4. Ginger-citrus shot
• Ingredients: Lemon juice, freshly grated ginger, honey.
• Vitamin C content:
Lemon juice (1 tablespoon): About 7 mg of vitamin C.
Ginger (1 tablespoon, grated): Minimal vitamin C (about 0.5 mg).
• Total: Approximately 7 mg of vitamin C per serving.
5. Acerola cherry shot
• Ingredients: Acerola cherries, water or coconut water.
• Vitamin C content:
Acerola cherries (1 cup): Approximately 1,644 mg of vitamin C.
• Total: Highly concentrated, about 1,644 mg of vitamin C per serving.
These values are approximate and can vary based on the exact quantity and variety of ingredients used.
What are the benefits of vitamin C shots?
Vitamin C builds immunity, helps improve skin’s texture and also improves cardiovascular health, to name a few. Here are some of the benefits of taking vitamin C shots:
1. Boosts immunity
Vitamin C plays an important role in enhancing the immune system by stimulating the production of white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting off infections. It also supports the function of these immune cells and assists the body respond to pathogens more effectively. Regular intake of vitamin C can reduce the severity and duration of illnesses like the common cold and flu, tells the expert.
2. Enhances skin health
One of vitamin C’s key functions is helping in collagen production, a protein that keeps skin firm, smooth, and youthful. Enhanced collagen levels help repair damaged skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and maintain skin elasticity. The antioxidant properties of vitamin C also protect the skin from damage caused by UV exposure and environmental pollutants, promoting a healthier, glowing complexion.
Also, people with low vitamin C intake tend to experience slower wound healing, for their bodies can produce less collagen. As per the British Journal of Community Nursing, taking vitamin C supplements can help heal wounds faster, and the best way to consume them directly is by drinking a vitamin C shot.
Vitamin C is a key in the body’s ability to repair and regenerate tissues. It promotes quicker wound healing by encouraging the formation of new connective tissue and blood vessels at the injury site. Additionally, it bolsters the skin barrier, making the healing process more effective while reducing the risk of infection, tells the expert.
3. Reduces fatigue
Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron more efficiently, which is vital for producing haemoglobin, the molecule that carries oxygen in the blood. By enhancing iron absorption, vitamin C can reduce feelings of tiredness and fatigue, particularly, in individuals who may be deficient in iron. This makes it a natural energy booster, contributing to overall vitality.
4. Alleviates motion sickness
Consuming vitamin C can help deal with issues like motion sickness better. In a 2014 study published in the Journal of Vestibular Research, 70 people were analyzed who took 2 grams of either vitamin C or a placebo and then 20 minutes on a life raft in a wave pool. The people who consumed vitamin C experienced lower levels of seasickness.
5. Protects from antioxidants
As a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C helps neutralize free radicals—unstable molecules that cause oxidative stress and damage cells. By protecting cells from oxidative stress, vitamin C reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and inflammation-related conditions. This protection is vital for overall cellular health and longevity. A 2013 review published in the Nutrients Journal suggests that consuming vitamin C might work well along with other treatments to benefit people with cancer.
6. Supports heart health
Vitamin C contributes to cardiovascular health by enhancing blood vessel function and reducing inflammation. It assists in lowering blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels, thereby improving circulation. Individuals with higher vitamin C intake have a lower risk of heart disease, as it helps reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol and blood pressure levels, leading to better heart health.
Vitamin C may benefit heart health due to the following reasons because it may:
• Boost antioxidant properties
• Aid in widening blood vessels
• Better nitric oxide production
How much vitamin C is too much?
The maximum recommended dosage of vitamin C intake for adults is 2,000 mg per day. Excess vitamin C consumption is unlikely to cause any drastic problems, but if a person consumes more than 1,000 mg of vitamin C per day, their body will be unable to absorb it all. This could trigger some health issues like diarrhoea, heartburn, headache, or gastrointestinal discomfort.
