20 Foods High In Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a key nutrient that supports our body in many ways. It is an antioxidant, and is important for healing wounds, boosting our immune system to resist infection, creating collagen, and supporting iron absorption.1 It also helps all our tissues grow and repair, which is essential for effective workouts.2 In this article we go through 20 foods high in vitamin C to help you increase your consumption.

20 Foods High in Vitamin C

Peppers (yellow/orange)

The levels of vitamin C in peppers change over their lifespan from green to red; researchers found that yellow bell peppers have the most vitamin C (159mg per 100g) compared to green bell peppers with 16.52mg.3

Broccoli

Containing 93.2mg of vitamin C per 100g, broccoli is also high in fiber, which supports healthy digestion.

Brussels sprouts

Slightly lower than broccoli, brussels sprouts contain approximately 85mg of vitamin C per 100g. Brussels are also a plant-based source of iron, which is essential for red blood cell health.

Cabbage

Cabbage contains 36.6mg of vitamin C per 100g and has other antioxidant phytochemicals to help fight cell damage and inflammation.

Cantaloupe Melon

Also known as sweet melon, cantaloupe contains about 36mg of vitamin C per 100g. They are also high in manganese, fiber, and water, making a delicious and healthy snack or breakfast item.

Cauliflower

Similar to broccoli, brussels sprouts and cabbage with 48.2 mg of vitamin C per 100g, , cauliflower is a great source of both vitamin C and fiber. It’s also popular in many low-carb alternative foods.

Tomato paste

Because tomatoes are a good source of vitamin C, so is tomato paste. A common ingredient for cooking soups and sauces, 100g of tomato paste contains 21.9mg of vitamin C, in addition to vitamin A, folate, potassium and many other vitamins and minerals.

Oranges

Oranges contain 53.2mg of vitamin C, and are probably the food people most commonly associate with vitamin C. While orange juice contains vitamin C, consuming the whole orange provides less sugar and more fiber per 100g.

Grapefruit

Close behind oranges, grapefruit contains about 38mg per 100g. While many choose to eat grapefruit with sugar, it would be better to find a different source of vitamin C than to add sugar to get it from grapefruit.

Guava

Guava contains 238mg per 100g of vitamin C, making it an excellent source of the nutrient, and helping it gain classification as a “super fruit”. Guava is also high in other antioxidants, fiber, and potassium.

Kale

While we typically think about fruit for vitamin C, kale contains 120mg per 100g. Related to the cabbage family, you can consume generous amounts of kale (which is also high in fiber) for very few calories — just 50 calories per 100g.

Kiwi

Although they are small, kiwis are packed with vitamin C — 105mg per 100g of fruit. Eating just one kiwi per day can help you get close to your recommended daily intake.

Mango

Mangoes, another orange/yellow-fleshed fruit, contain approximately 26mg Vitamin C per 100g. Also popular as a juice in some communities, it is better to eat the whole fruit than drink the juice so to avoid added calories.

Papaya

With 60.9mg vitamin C per 100g and around 230mg per fruit, you can get all of your daily vitamin C requirements from just one papaya. Although less common than citrus, papaya is a nutrient-packed fruit to add to your shopping list.

Pineapple

Pineapple contains 47.8mg of vitamin C in a 100g serving. This is higher than the amount in oranges or mangoes, and pineapples are quite easy to find year-round. Choose fresh whole fruit or canned fruit in water (with no added sugar).

Potatoes

Regular white potatoes with skin contain about 11.4mg of vitamin C per 100g, and yams contain 17mg. Don’t forget that starchy vegetables can be good sources of vitamins.

Spinach

Packed with 28.1mg of vitamin C per 100g, spinach is also a source of non-heme iron for those who follow vegan or vegetarian diets.

Strawberries

100g of strawberries contain 58mg of vitamin C — one cup can exceed your daily requirements. Naturally sweet, strawberries are great to add to smoothies or just as good eaten on their own.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes support your daily vitamin C needs with 39mg per 100g. High in both fiber and water content, tomatoes are also filling.

Watermelon

Sweet watermelon contains about 8.1mg of vitamin C per 100g; while this is not a concentrated source of vitamin C, watermelon is low in calories and a great way to add some vitamin C to your day.

Take home message

Vitamin C is essential for our health, and knowing which foods are good sources can help keep you feeling your best. Luckily, foods that are in high in vitamin C are typically high in other important nutrients, making them even more beneficial. In addition to a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables, some people may choose to take a Vitamin C supplement to make sure their intake is sufficient.