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Vitamin C is a white crystalline substance soluble in water. It is stable in solid state, but does not keep its potency in solution, because Vitamin C is destroyed in the presence of Oxygen which it takes up. Vitamin C is also destroyed by heating it in contact with air or cooking it with alkalies like soda bicarb etc. Therefore, cooking vegetables in plenty of water in uncovered vessels for a long lime is not advisable. Cutting vegetables finely, and keeping them hot for a long time also destroys the Vitamin C. However, immersing vegetables directly in boiling water prevents loss of Vitamin C by destroying ascorbic oxidase.
Foods Rich in Vitamin C
Fruits
Amla, Currant, Orange, Lime, Pineapple, Papaya, Tomato, Mango, Raspberry, Banana
Vegetables
Drumstick leaves, Drumstick
Guava for Strong Gums
Guava tree is an ever green plant and in most of the south Indian homes, it is grown as a fruit giving decorative tree. Unripe guava is rich in tannic, malic, oxalic, phosphoric-acid combined with calcium-oxalate and manganese. Therefore, eating tender fruit causes intestinal colic. But chewing them is a very effective tonic for gums and teeth. It stops the bleeding from gums due to the styptic effect and richness in Vitamin C. Eating a ripe fruit every day in empty stomach is a medicine for palpitation of the heart due to nervousness and anaemia.
Ripe fruit is one of the cheapest source of Vitamin C and each fruit supplies as much Vitamin C as one gets from eating six oranges. The pulp emits a very pleasing aromatic flavour which makes guava a very popular fruit. The pulp of a ripe guava mixed with milk and honey used after straining it through muslin cloth is a very effective natural Vitamin C and calcium tonic, and can be used during childhood, pregnancy and lactation. It gives strength and energy during the treatment of tuberculosis, bronchitis, weakness of the heart, jaundice, hepatitis, gastric-ulcer, after operations, for painful menstruation and premature senility.
(Source: Medicinal Secrets of Your Food By Oscar. Prof. Dr. Aman)
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