Ascorbic acid is an essential nutrient that can protect from the development of scurvy and other nutritional diseases related to bleeding. Ascorbic acid is only needed in small amounts to protect from scurvy and around 60 mg per day should be enough for most people in this regard. However, ascorbic acid has other nutritional benefits when taken in higher concentrations which includes a general antioxidant effect. Ascorbic acid can be manufactured in a laboratory or can be synthesised naturally in plants via enzymes. It is unclear if there is a difference between the two forms, but evidence suggests that both are able to confer significant health benefits. Where natural ascorbic acid may score better is in regard to the accessory nutrients often found alongside ascorbic acid in plants. Phytochemicals such as flavonoids may confer additional protection and work synergistically with ascorbic acid particularly in regard to antioxidant protection. Therefore consuming plant based ascorbic acid may have some benefits.
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