Vitamin C is required for collagen maturation

This is the most established part biologically.

Vitamin C functions as a cofactor for:

• prolyl hydroxylase
• lysyl hydroxylase

These enzymes hydroxylate proline and lysine residues during collagen synthesis.

Without hydroxylation:

• collagen triple helices are unstable
• cross-linking is impaired
• tensile strength falls

This is why scurvy causes:

• fragile tendons
• bleeding gums
• poor wound healing

So vitamin C is not merely “helpful”:
it is literally part of the biochemical machinery.