What are vitamin C supplements?
Vitamin C supplements are products designed to increase the intake of this essential vitamin. It is one of the most well-known vitamins and is also known by its official name, L-ascorbic acid, which literally means "anti-scurvy."
Vitamin C supplements are especially useful for people who do not get enough of it from their diet, such as those with a deficiency or increased need for this vitamin.
What do you need vitamin C for?
Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that plays a crucial role in supporting the immune system and overall health. It also helps produce collagen, which contributes to the normal functioning of blood vessels, skin, bones, and cartilage.
Note : You urinate out excess vitamin C. However, an intake of more than 2 grams per day can cause intestinal problems such as diarrhea, which disappear with reduced intake. The recommended daily allowance for adults is 75 milligrams.
What types of vitamin C are there?
L-Ascorbic acid is the only naturally occurring form of vitamin C. It's found in many foods, such as citrus fruits, berries, kiwis, bell peppers, and leafy greens. It's also included in supplements because it's an inexpensive and effective form.
Other forms of vitamin C, such as sodium, magnesium, or calcium ascorbate, and Ester-C , are synthetic (not natural) or buffered (linked to another substance, such as magnesium). They are primarily used in supplements because they are less or not acidic and therefore gentler on the stomach . Certain synthetic forms may also be better absorbed.
What is a good vitamin C supplement?
A good supplement provides a safe dose of vitamin C in an effective form.
Here are some examples of good vitamin C supplements:
- Vitamin C Premium Contains Nutra-C®, a vitamin C with superior absorption and effectiveness. This advanced, buffered form of vitamin C is naturally extracted from rosehip extract using a water-based process, without harmful chemicals.
- Vitamin C Slow Release is an advanced nutritional supplement containing a powerful combination of vitamin C and hesperidin from citrus. Hesperidin enhances the effects of vitamin C, and thanks to the delayed release of the ingredients, you benefit from a long-lasting effect. This ensures optimal absorption and is also gentler on your stomach.
You don't know these 3 natural vitamin C superstars yet
Do you also immediately think of an orange or a kiwi when you hear about vitamin C? In the Netherlands, those are indeed the most well-known sources. But did you know that in the rest of the world, there are fruits that contain up to 100 times more vitamin C than an orange?
These 3 fruits are real vitamin bombs:
1. Acerola ( Malpighia emarginata)
A small, round berry from South and Central America.
Vitamin C: 1500–4500 mg per 100 grams (1)
Comparison with orange: 50–100 times more vitamin C than an orange
2. Kakadu plum ( Terminalia ferdinandiana)
A small, sour drupe from Australia.
Vitamin C: 2300–3150 mg per 100 grams (2)
Comparison with orange: 76–105 times more vitamin C than an orange
3. Strawberry guava ( Psidium cattleianum)
A small, round berry, often yellow or red, from South America.
Vitamin C: Up to 1200 mg per 100 grams (3)
Comparison with orange: 40–60 times more vitamin C than an orange
Sources Used
- Prakash, A., & Baskaran, R. (2018). Acerola, an untapped functional superfruit: a review on latest frontiers. Journal Of Food Science And Technology , 55 (9), 3373–3384. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-018-3309-5
- Zhou, Y., Phan, A.D.T., Akter, S., Bobasa, E.M., Seididamyeh, M., Sivakumar, D., & Sultanbawa, Y. (2023). Bioactive Properties of Kakadu Plum-Blended Products. Molecules , 28 (6), 2828. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28062828
- McCook-Russell, K. P., Nair, MG, Facey, P. C., & Bowen-Forbes, C. S. (2012). Nutritional and nutraceutical comparison of Jamaican Psidium cattleianum (strawberry guava) and Psidium guajava (common guava) fruits. Food Chemistry , 134 (2), 1069–1073. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.03.018
