| ≥1 piece |
vitamin c or L-ascorbic acid is an essential nutrient for humans, a large number of higher primate species, a small number of other mammalian species (notably guinea pigs and bats), a few species of birds, and some fish. [ 1 ]
Ascorbate (an ion of ascorbic acid) is required for a range of essential metabolic reactions in all animals and plants. It is made internally by almost all organisms, apes and humans being a notable exception. Deficiency in this vitamin causes scurvy in humans. [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] It is also widely used as a food additive.