The richest source of vitamin C is

NHM UP Staff Nurse-2021 Shift-1st

Applied Nutrition & Dietetics

Easy

Appeared in: NHM UP Staff Nurse-2021 Shift-1st

Explanation

Amla (Indian Gooseberry) is the correct answer as it contains an exceptionally high amount of Vitamin C, approximately 600 mg per 100g of the fruit.
This concentration is substantially higher, by about ten times, than that found in citrus fruits like lemons and oranges, which are also considered good sources.
The other options, while containing Vitamin C, do not qualify as the 'richest' source when compared to the potent content in Amla.
Due to this high concentration, Amla is often recommended in traditional and modern medicine for boosting immunity and as an antioxidant supplement.

Option A: Lemon is a good source of Vitamin C, containing about 63 mg per 100g. However, this amount is significantly less than the content found in Amla.
Option B: Orange is popularly known as a source of Vitamin C, but it contains only about 30 mg per 100g. This is roughly twenty times less than the amount in Amla.
Option D: Tomato contains Vitamin C (around 27-30 mg per 100g), but it is one of the least concentrated sources among the given options.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Nutritional sources of Vitamin C as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a key role in dietary counseling, advising patients on adequate Vitamin C intake to promote wound healing, enhance immune function, and prevent deficiency diseases like scurvy.
Patient education should include tips on food preparation, as Vitamin C is water-soluble and heat-labile, meaning it can be easily destroyed during cooking or prolonged storage.
A nurse's understanding of various food sources is vital for creating personalized diet plans that meet patients' specific health needs and preferences.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the keyword in the question stem. The word 'richest' is a superlative, indicating you must find the option with the highest concentration of Vitamin C.
This is a factual recall question based on nutritional knowledge. Access your memory or knowledge base regarding the Vitamin C content of common foods.
Compare the options. While all four are known sources of Vitamin C, you need to determine their relative potency.
Recall or deduce that citrus fruits (lemon, orange) are good sources, but certain other fruits, like Amla (Indian gooseberry) and guava, are exceptionally rich.
Based on a quantitative comparison (Amla ~600mg, Lemon ~63mg, Orange ~30mg per 100g), it is clear that Amla has a significantly higher content.
Select Amla as the correct answer because it is the most concentrated source among the choices.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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