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What are the Benefits of Taking Vitamin C with Rose Hips?

Vanessa Harvey
Vanessa Harvey

One of the most important benefits of taking vitamin C with rose hips is the increased antioxidant support provided for the body. Other very important benefits include the ingestion of other nutrients, such as vitamin A and the minerals iron and calcium; increased absorption of organic iron; the "formulation" of a mild antibiotic that is very gentle on the immune system; and an extra supply of vitamin C from a completely natural source. It should be remembered that one of the benefits of rose hips lies in the fact that they are themselves a supply of vitamin C.

Rose hips and vitamin C compliment each other in several ways. For example, it is believed that rose hips, which are an antioxidant, increase the effectiveness or potency of antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin C. Antioxidants play a vital role in preventing the destruction of the body's cells from unstable molecules known as free radicals; these molecules are naturally formed when the body burns oxygen. Cellular destruction from free radicals lead to the development of various forms of cancer and to accelerated aging, as well as the diseases that are frequently associated with aging. The combination of vitamin C and rose hips can be one of many natural ways to help prevent cancer and age-related diseases.

Vitamin C and rose hips can be purchased in a dried state from many health foods stores.
Vitamin C and rose hips can be purchased in a dried state from many health foods stores.

Vitamin C can help the body absorb organic iron when it is taken with a meal containing this mineral. Organic iron should not be confused with inorganic iron of which almost all iron supplements are composed; rather, it is the iron that naturally occurs in plants, herbal teas, and decoctions prepared from herbs rich in the mineral, such as yellow dock root. What is interesting is that rose hips offer significant amounts of all natural iron; therefore, taking a combination of vitamin C with rose hips ensures that iron is not only ingested but also absorbed.

Rose hips, which come from rose flowers, are an excellent source of beneficial antioxidants.
Rose hips, which come from rose flowers, are an excellent source of beneficial antioxidants.

Rose hips offer significant amounts of vitamin A as well as bioflavanoids, which are are sometimes referred to as vitamin P, and calcium. They also are a food that — by many people's standards — are very palatable. People who don't like to take supplements should know all citrus fruits and most vegetables are rich sources of vitamin C, and rose hips can be gathered from the wild to be used in recipes, or they can be purchased in a dried state from many health foods stores. The dried rose hips can be used to make an herbal decoction that, along with a food high in vitamin C, offers a much higher nutritional value than a supplement.

Discussion Comments

candyquilt

@feruze-- Actually, the vitamins and antioxidants in rose hip start to lose quality as soon as they are taken off of the plant.

I think it's more beneficial to simmer rose hips on low heat in water and make a syrup out of it where the water is also used. Most of the vitamin C from the rose hips will remain in the water. If you also add some ascorbic acid to the syrup, then you will end up with a super-food.

I've been making my own rose hips syrup for years. Rose hips are great for fatigue and for preventing the common cold.

bear78

@anamur-- Yes, rose hips contain vitamin C, but only if you consume them fresh. I don't know about you but I don't consume them fresh ( I can't even get a hold of them fresh), so the rose hips I consume has little to no vitamin C in them.

Boiling, cooking or drying rose hips kills the vitamin C. So to benefit from the rose hips as much as possible and to also replace the vitamin C that has been lost, it's a good idea to take it with vitamin C tablets or a food high in vitamin C. I prefer fresh orange juice or pomegranate juice.

serenesurface

I don't see the point of taking a vitamin C supplement with rose hips because like the article said, rose hips already have vitamin C in them.

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    • Vitamin C and rose hips can be purchased in a dried state from many health foods stores.
      By: diego cervo
      Vitamin C and rose hips can be purchased in a dried state from many health foods stores.
    • Rose hips, which come from rose flowers, are an excellent source of beneficial antioxidants.
      By: Studio Porto Sabbia
      Rose hips, which come from rose flowers, are an excellent source of beneficial antioxidants.
    • Citrus fruits naturally contain high levels of vitamin C.
      By: dream79
      Citrus fruits naturally contain high levels of vitamin C.
    • Some supplements that contain vitamin C and rose hips are available in chewable form.
      By: Ariwasabi
      Some supplements that contain vitamin C and rose hips are available in chewable form.
    • Vitamin C can stop free radicals from prematurely aging the body.
      By: chuugo
      Vitamin C can stop free radicals from prematurely aging the body.
    • Some topical products with vitamin C and rose hips are designed to prevent acne scarring, and to fade existing scars.
      By: Budimir Jevtic
      Some topical products with vitamin C and rose hips are designed to prevent acne scarring, and to fade existing scars.
    • Rose hips provide a concentrated form of vitamin C and are sometimes added to vitamin supplements.
      By: WuTtY
      Rose hips provide a concentrated form of vitamin C and are sometimes added to vitamin supplements.
    • Vitamin supplements are not meant to be an alternative to eating a variety of healthy foods.
      By: Melpomene
      Vitamin supplements are not meant to be an alternative to eating a variety of healthy foods.