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During World War II, England, Norway and Sweden were faced with a scurvy crisis. Since the war had restricted normal shipping, the British could not obtain enough citrus fruit for vitamin C. Children began showing the symptoms of early scurvy. The British discovered rose hips to be an excellent source of vitamin C and made the fruit of the rose into teas, soups and syrups. The children received these supplements daily, and this prevented any problem with scurvy. Rose hips are the major source of natural vitamin C. A few species are used to obtain the vitamin, including Rosa canina, Rosa mosqueta and Rosa rugosa Thunb. In addition to vitamin C, rose hips contain such carotenoids as beta-carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin, rubixanthin, gazaniaxanthin, beta cryptoxanthin, gamma-carotene, lutein, violaxanthin, and antheraxanthin. They also contain flavonoids, catechins, polyphenols, procyanidins and pectins.
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