Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) is an important nutrient which must be obtained from the diet or by supplementation, as it cannot be synthesized by the human body. Vitamin C is one of the most labile dietary nutrients, being easily destroyed by cooking or food processing. Vitamin C is essential for normal tissue growth and repair, playing a vital role in collagen formation and strengthening capillary blood vessels. Vitamin C strengthens ligaments and tendons, prevents bruising and is required for wound healing. Vitamin C helps to maintain healthy gums and normal immune function. Vitamin C is the primary water soluble antioxidant vitamin within the human body, protecting the aqueous cytoplasm within the main body of the cell from damage by free radicals.