Between 1500 and 1800, more than 2 million sailors died of scurvy, according to Harvard University. Some knew that citrus fruits prevented the disease, but vitamin C wasn't officially discovered until 1932. Since then, scientists have determined that your body needs this water-soluble vitamin to produce collagen, cartilage, tendons, ligaments and the basic protein in your bones. Vitamin C also functions as an antioxidant, protecting you from the damage done by free radicals.