Cited by 162Vitamin C and Antioxidants ResearchAntioxidant Activity and Oxidative StressPhytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities

Vitamin C: A Comprehensive Review of Its Role in Health, Disease Prevention, and Therapeutic Potential

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Alberts, Adina, Moldoveanu, Elena-Theodora, Niculescu, Adelina-Gabriela, Grumezescu, Alexandru Mihai·2025·Molecules

Abstract

Since Albert Szent-Györgyi discovered it and it became used in treating scurvy, vitamin C has attracted interest in many studies due to its unique properties. It is an important cofactor in the synthesis of collagen and hormones, and it is involved in immunity, iron absorption, and processes requiring antioxidants. Thus, this review aims to emphasize the importance and usefulness of vitamin C in improving quality of life and preventing various diseases (e.g., chronic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cancer) but also for its use in treatments against infections, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Although the studies presented provide essential information about the properties of VIC and its beneficial effect on health, some studies contradict these theories. In this respect, further studies on larger samples and over a longer period are needed to demonstrate the therapeutic potential of this nutrient. However, VIC remains a necessary vitamin that should be consumed daily to maintain optimal health and prevent deficiencies that can lead to scurvy and its associated complications.

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  • Vitamin C deficiency produces symptoms including bleeding gums, petechiae, ecchymoses, impaired wound healing, and arthralgia.

    “Vitamin C Deficiency: Vitamin C deficiency produces symptoms including bleeding gums, petechiae, ecchymoses, impaired wound healing, and arthralgia [37].”

    From The Seven Methods for the Evaluation of Nutritional Status—ABCDEFG: Narrative Review (2026) · cites this paper as [37]

    The Introduction (page unavailable) links severe vitamin C deficiency to scurvy and describes gingival pathology, hemorrhages, and delayed wound healing. It does not specifically identify bleeding gums, petechiae, ecchymoses, or arthralgia; the reported lower-limb pain is not identified as joint pain. (LLM, conf=0.82)

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  1. [25]Nobile S. Woodhill J.M. How was vitamin C discovered? Vitamin C: The Mysterious Redox-System A Trigger of Life? Nobile S. Woodhill J.M. Springer Dordrecht, The Netherlands 1981 15 20
  2. [37]Nermin M.Y. Vitamin C Vitamin C Jean Guy L. IntechOpen Rijeka, Croatia 2018 Chapter 2
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Authors
Alberts, A., Moldoveanu, E.-T., Niculescu, A.-G., & Grumezescu, A. M.
Affiliations
  • Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy (RO)
  • Universitatea Națională de Știință și Tehnologie Politehnica București (RO)
  • University of Bucharest (RO)
Corresponding author
Grumezescu, Alexandru Mihai
Venue
Molecules
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2025-02-06
Volume
30
Issue
3
Pages
748
ISSN
1420-3049 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4407224039
Cited by
161
References
161
Citations by year
2026: 108 · 2025: 53
FWCI
21.39
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Molecules (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Vitamin C and Antioxidants Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities
Keywords
vitamin C, scurvy, collagen synthesis, iron absorption, antioxidant activity, immune function, disease prevention, cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, infection, chronic disease
MeSH terms
Animals, Antioxidants, Ascorbic Acid, Cardiovascular Diseases, Humans, Neoplasms, Quality of Life, Scurvy, Vitamins, Neurodegenerative Diseases

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