The Power of Vitamin C

By Kelly Springer MS,RD,CDN (Registered Dietitian, Founder and CEO of Kelly’s Choice)
March 27, 2023 

Citrus Fruits packed with vitamin C

So, we’ve talked about the ashwagandha, hops, and nootropics in HOP WTR, BUT I’m not done! There’s more! There’s vitamin C, an immune system boosting vitamin! HOP WTR has 108 mg of vitamin C per can... that is 120% of your daily needs! The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for adults 19 years and older is 90 mg daily for men and 75 mg for women. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals, support collagen production, and enhance brain function. Now, crack open a HOP WTR and let’s chat about vitamin C!

Vitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in foods like oranges, strawberries, sweet bell peppers, and tomatoes. Water soluble means these vitamins are carried to the body's tissues but are not stored in the body. However, they are crucial to the body to regulate and maintain function. For example, vitamin C is required for the biosynthesis, or production, of collagen, L-carnitine, and certain neurotransmitters. Furthermore, this vitamin is a powerful antioxidant; it has the power to limit the damaging effects of free radicals and reduce oxidative stress (an imbalance between production and accumulation of oxygen reactive species in cells and tissues). Research appears to support vitamin C’s role in preventing or delaying the development of certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, and other diseases in which oxidative stress plays a role. Deficiency of this vitamin is not as prevalent here in the United States. However, too little vitamin C can cause scurvy of the gums as well as fatigue, connective tissue weakness, and capillary fragility. Vitamin C has low toxicity and is not believed to cause serious adverse effects at higher intakes or concentrations.

Due to its function as an antioxidant and its role in immune function, vitamin C has been promoted as the lead vitamin in preventing and/or treating multiple health conditions. But what about the possibility of enhancing brain function? In a 2009 study by Harrison and May, vitamin C was revealed to be important for neuronal maturation and function as well as protection of the brain for oxidative stress. The vitamin C needs in the brain are higher than that of the body. This is because the brain needs vitamin C to maintain homeostasis and for all the neuron processes that conduct your thoughts, emotions, and movements. It is up to this vitamin to send electrons to neutralize free floating oxygen molecules that are produced in the process. Those free radicals are what cause damage to DNA and age your cells.

You can find the highest concentrations of vitamin C in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala; all areas of the brain that are responsible for higher level processing of decision making, reasoning, memory, learning, language, as well as reacting to both threatening and non-threatening stimuli. Further studies have displayed potential therapeutic effects for neurodegenerative disorders through use of vitamin C. Such as with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson’s disease. There have been positive correlations of ascorbate (vitamin C) supplement use and reduced disease incidence for Alzheimer's. However, in the case of Parkinson’s, more research needs to be done for more supportive evidence of similar benfits. WOW, it’s amazing what this little vitamin can do, right?

All told, it’s amazing to think of all the benefits that HOP WTR presents in just one can! From stress reducing ashwagandha to calming hops to cognitive enhancing nootropics to antioxidant packed vitamin C, HOP WTR HAS IT ALL! I drink one almost every day, and how could you not with functionality like this and flavors like these.