1. Grapefruit
While oranges often steal the spotlight among citrus fruits, grapefruits are definitely worth your attention! Trista Best, dietitian for Balance One Supplements, revealed to us that it’s a solid option for Vitamin C intake.
“Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient that acts as an antioxidant in the body, helping to neutralize harmful free radicals that can contribute to inflammation and other health problems,” Trista says.
The fruit contains antioxidants like vitamin C and flavonoids that reduce inflammation in the gut. A healthier, less inflamed gut environment improves overall digestive function.
But that isn’t all Vitamin C is good for. “Vitamin C is also important for the production of collagen, which helps to keep skin, tendons, and other connective tissues strong and healthy,” Best goes on.“ Additionally, vitamin C is necessary for the absorption of iron from plant-based foods and for the immune system to function properly.” Incredible! That means that not only can a daily grapefruit help keep inflammation at bay, but it may also help you look and feel younger than ever (thank you, collagen!) and even give your immune system a boost.
As for the specifics of its vitamin C content, Best says, “A medium-sized grapefruit contains around 70-90 mg of vitamin C, which is about 75-100% of the recommended daily value, depending on the size of the grapefruit." For this reason, “eating a grapefruit can be a great way to boost your vitamin C intake and support overall health.”
2. Kiwi
Robert Love, a neuroscientist who has over 2M followers on TikTok says one of his favorite vitamin c-rich foods is kiwi.
“A lot of people don’t know this: you can actually eat the skin of the kiwi,” he reveals. Love explains that the skin “has really good fiber,” which is great for gut health. Plus, what’s good for a "happy gut" is also good for your brain!
Additionally, “It's high in vitamin C, which is really good for your skin,” he adds. And it’s also beneficial for your immune system and can aid with quality sleep.
3. Baobab fruit
Baobab fruit may not be as widely known as grapefruits or kiwis, but it's exceptionally rich in vitamin C. It contains up to six times more of this vital nutrient than oranges.
Baobab is a natural source of dietary fiber, with over 50% of its content being prebiotic fiber. Prebiotics nourish beneficial gut bacteria, improving digestion and promoting a balanced microbiome. Its vitamin C content also supports metabolism, which can contribute to weight loss efforts.