Which nutrient is an antioxidant that promotes wound healing?

• A. Zinc
• B. Protein
• C. Vitamin C
• D. Vitamin A

Answer: (C)

Vitamin C is the nutrient that fits both antioxidant protection and wound- healing support. It helps neutralize reactive oxygen species that surge after injury, protecting cells at the wound site. At the same time, it is essential for collagen synthesis because it acts as a cofactor for enzymes that hydroxylate proline and lysine in collagen, yielding stable, strong connective tissue needed for tissue repair. This combination of reducing oxidative stress and directly enabling collagen formation makes vitamin C the best choice. Other nutrients matter for healing—zinc supports enzymes and immune function, protein provides the building blocks for tissue, and vitamin A aids epithelialization—but they don’t provide the antioxidant-collagen synthesis dual action that vitamin C does.