Vitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that is
naturally present in some foods or added to others. It’s also available as a dietary supplement. Vitamin C is needed for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of the body but unlike most animals, humans are unable to synthesize Vitamin C naturally. Therefore, it is an essential vitamin that humans need to take regularly. It can be found in many fruits and vegetables, including oranges, strawberries, kiwi fruit, bell peppers, broccoli, kale, and spinach. The recommended daily intake for Vitamin C is 75 mg for women, 90 mg for men and 88mg for children and adolescents aged 1-18 years. While it’s commonly advised to get your Vitamin C intake from foods, many people turn to supplements to meet their needs. Vitamin C is an antioxidant - nutrients that block some of the damage caused by free radicals.
Walk into a health store and you'll find various types of Vitamin C brands, perhaps without knowing which one to choose. This article will help narrow things down for you, so as to make your next Vitamin C decision a little bit easier. Below are five Vitamin C brands, and this article will highlight some of their pros and cons.
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| Ester C Supreme | Bio C 1000 | Berry C Supreme | Ester C 1000mg | C-500mg 100% Natural | |
| Product Type | Tablets | Tablets | Capsules | Tablets | Tablets |
| Size | 210 | 180 | 180 | 120 | 90 |
| Quantity | 1000mg | 500 mg | 600 mg | 1000mg | 500 mg |
| Price | $59.99 | $27.50 | $29.99 | $35.99 | $9.99 |
| Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
While each of these products brings something slightly different to the table, we've highlighted their best attributes below to help simplify the decision for the Vitamin C product that best fits your needs. We're always available to help if you need more information.
1. BEST FULL-DAY COVERAGE
Free of: dairy, wheat, gluten, peanut, soy.
Of the 5 Vitamin C brands listed above, Ester C Supreme has the greatest number of tablets in a bottle. However, that also makes it the most expensive and the higher price point doesn’t necessarily mean it is superior to the others on this list. What makes the Ester C Supreme stand out is the fact that it is the only form of Vitamin C that has been proven to last up to 24 hours in the white blood cells of the immune system. Compared to other Vitamin C products, it is also less acidic and easier on the stomach. At a price point of $59.99 for 210 tablets at 1000mg, each tablet costs approximately $0.28. Generally, tablets have a longer shelf life and accommodate a higher dose of an active ingredient than capsules. Therefore, you can be confident that your Ester C Supreme which you’ve been taking since January is still as good six months later.
2. BEST FULL-BODY BENEFITS
Free of: gluten, dairy, soy.
The Enerex Bio C 1000 has 180 tablets of Vitamin C with 500 mg of citrus bioflavonoids at a price point of $27.50, each tablet costing approximately $0.15. The bioflavonoids include Hesperidin, Quercitin, Narangin, and Rutin, all of which are essential for the absorption of Vitamin C. Hesperidin is the marker of bioflavonoids quality and efficacy. Bio C 1000 uses premium 22% Hesperidin. In addition, bioflavonoids are helpful in the treatment of allergies and they may even help combat yeast infections. The combination of Vitamin C and Bioflavonoids have also proven helpful in treating capillary injuries and eczema.
3. MOST DIETARY-FRIENDLY
Free of: artificial flavours or colours, gluten, wheat, lactose, dairy, preservatives, soy, added sugar, yeast, GMO materials.
Health First Berry C Supreme is the ONLY one of the five Vitamin C brands listed here that is a vegetable-capsule, making it the most dietary-friendly. Being a capsule, it naturally breaks down more quickly than tablets and offers faster relief from symptoms. Capsules are also less likely to have an unpleasant taste or odour and are tamper-resistant as they’re not easy to split or crush. Generally speaking, capsules have a higher bioavailability, meaning more of the drugs are able to enter the bloodstream than tablets. With a price point of $29.99 and 180 tablets at 600mg, each tablet costs approximately $0.16.
4. HIGH DOSE FOR LOW COST
Free of: dairy, wheat, gluten, peanuts, soy.
Priced at $35.99 with 120 tablets at 1000mg, each Ester-C tablet costs approximately $0.29. Ester-C is a unique, patented form of calcium ascorbate, which is made when ascorbic acid (regular vitamin C) is buffered with calcium using a water-based process. The calcium in Ester-C is significant enough that it provides a percentage of daily calcium requirements. Ester-C contains active Vitamin C metabolites including L-threonate, which enhance cellular absorption and retention. Ester-C has a clinically proven higher bioavailability and retention rate than other forms of Vitamin C.
5. MOST KID-FRIENDLY
Fruit Flavours – Blueberry/Raspberry/Boysenberry, Tangy Orange, Jungle Juice, Peach/Passionfruit/Mango
Priced at $13.99 for 90 tablets at 500mg, Natural Factors' 100% Natural Fruit Chews are made with natural fruit flavours and sweeteners. Each easy-to-take wafer also contains citrus bioflavonoids, rosehips, and rutin for added benefits. The Bioflavonoids have a positive impact on the cardiovascular system and memory, while increasing Vitamin C absorption. In addition, the flavours in these chews are kid-focused!
SUMMARY
In conclusion, the Berry C Supreme vitamin capsule is best suited for vegetarians as it is a strictly vegetarian capsule. The Natural Fruit Chews is best for children as the variety in different fruit flavours will encourage them to take this vitamin daily, it is also very affordable, and the bioflavonoids help with memory retention as they grow. The Ester C products are affordable and are the only Vitamin C products that have been clinically proven to have higher bioavailability and retention rate. The Bio C tablets is of the highest quality as it uses premium 22% Hesperidin and it contains Bioflavonoids that not only provide the basic benefits of regular Vitamin C but also help with the treatment of allergies, capillary injuries, eczema, and combatting yeast infections.