Vitamin C helps in the absorption of which of the following mineral?

Option 3 : Iron

Option 3 is correct, i.e. Iron.

• Vitamin C plays a pivotal role in the absorption of iron from various dietary sources.
• Vitamin C is ascorbic acid (chemical name).
• Iron requirements remain the same despite the current lower energy requirement. This means that more iron must be absorbed per unit of energy.
• Higher bioavailability of the dietary iron can be achieved by increasing the content of food components enhancing iron absorption (ascorbic acid, meat/fish) or by decreasing the content of inhibitors (e.g., phytates, tannins).
• The latter is not feasible considering the recent and reasonable trend toward increasing the intake of dietary fiber.
• The key role of ascorbic acid for the absorption of dietary nonheme iron is generally accepted.
• The reasons for its action are twofold:
  • The prevention of the formation of insoluble and unabsorbable iron compounds.
  • The reduction of ferric to ferrous iron, which seems to be a requirement for the uptake of iron into the mucosal cells.