Vitamin C Heals Gums
Eating two vitamin C-rich grapefruits a day — or taking a supplement with the equivalent amount of vitamins — helps to heal inflamed gums, reducing risk of periodontal disease.
So say German researchers who studied 58 people with low levels of vitamin C and periodontitis (gum disease, including bleeding). After two weeks of eating the grapefruit, blood levels of vitamin C rose more than 50% in non-smokers and nearly doubled in smokers. And bleeding gum scores improved about 60% in non-smokers.
So be sure to get your daily dose of vitamin C. Two medium grapefruits (4-inch diameter) contain about 175 milligrams.
This EatSmart column is reprinted from USAWEEKEND Magazine and is copyrighted by Jean Carper. It cannot be reprinted without permission from Jean Carper.
