Looking for the best vitamin C? Here's what to consider

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient important for many processes in our body. Many people know that vitamin C is important for the immune system and the skin, but often do not know which form of vitamin C is best. In this blog, we will tell you everything about the different options so you can make the best choice. 

What is vitamin C 

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is crucial for our health. Did you know that humans, like (semi-)apes and guinea pigs, are among the only mammals that cannot produce vitamin C themselves? Therefore, we rely on food or supplements to get enough vitamin C. It is one of the 13 vitamins that we cannot produce ourselves. 

Vitamin C is water-soluble, which means it is quickly absorbed by the body but also quickly excreted. It remains in your system for about 24 hours. Have you consumed too much? Fortunately, the excess vitamin C is simply flushed out.  

It is important to note that vitamin C is very sensitive to light, heat, and oxygen. This means that the vitamin C content in your food can decrease when heated or exposed to oxygen or sunlight for extended periods. Want to learn more about how vitamin C works in your body? Read all about vitamin C here.

What is vitamin C good for 

Vitamin C does much more than just support your immune system. It contributes to the production of collagen, which is important for the production of collagen, vital for bones, cartilage, and skin. Additionally, vitamin C is important for our nervous system and acts as an antioxidant, protecting our cells and tissues. 

You might also recognise vitamin C from skincare products: it helps in the production of collagen and strengthens the skin from within.

The best vitamin C: recognising the right form 

Not all vitamin C supplements are the same. The form you choose affects how your body absorbs and processes the vitamin. Below are the most common forms and what you should consider. 

Ascorbic acid versus ascorbate (buffered vitamin C) 

Let's start with the two most well-known forms of vitamin C: Ascorbic acid and Ascorbate. These two forms differ in their chemical composition and properties. Ascorbic acid is the most common and pure, yet acidic form of vitamin C. 

Ascorbate, also known as buffered vitamin C, is a milder form and more suitable for people with sensitive digestive systems. It is essentially ascorbic acid bound to a mineral (such as sodium, calcium, or magnesium), making it less acidic. Ascorbate also provides additional minerals for the body. This form of vitamin C offers the same health benefits as ascorbic acid but with fewer side effects. This makes it suitable if you want to take higher doses. 

Sometimes the label does not say ‘ascorbate’ but calls it ‘buffered vitamin C’. Manufacturers do this to emphasise that this form of vitamin C is less acidic.

Ester-C 

Ester-C is a patented form of vitamin C that also has a mild effect on the stomach. Ester-C contains calcium ascorbate and natural substances formed during the processing of vitamin C in your body. These substances are already added to the product, enhancing the absorption and bioavailability of Ester-C. As a result, it remains active in your body for longer, allowing you to enjoy the benefits for an extended period. This makes it a good choice if you want to support your immune system (for example, in winter) without the side effects of the acidic forms of vitamin C. 

Liposomal vitamin C 

Liposomal supplements are increasingly popular and can offer many advantages over non-liposomal supplements. Read all about liposomal supplements and their benefits here. Liposomal vitamin C uses liposomes (microscopic fat bubbles) to efficiently transport the vitamin C through your body. The fat bubbles encase the vitamin C, ensuring none is lost in the digestive tract. As a result, the bioavailability is very high. This means your body can basically use more of the vitamin C, and you can achieve a similar effect with a lower dose of liposomal vitamin C as with a higher dose of another form.

Natural vitamin C 

Natural vitamin C comes from plant sources such as acerola cherries, camu camu berries, and rose hips. These sources not only contain ascorbic acid but also bioflavonoids and other substances that can enhance the absorption and effectiveness of vitamin C in your body. If you prefer supplements from natural sources, this is ideal. 

Vitamin C powder, (effervescent) tablet or drops? Here's how to choose 

You now know which form of vitamin C is best for you. Now it's time to choose which administration form works best for you.

Vitamin C powder  

Powder is a super accessible option that you can easily add to water or a smoothie. It dissolves quickly, allowing for rapid absorption. A major advantage is that you can easily determine the dosage yourself. The only downside? Vitamin C powder is often based on ascorbic acid, which may be too acidic for some people. However, it is ideal for those who have difficulty swallowing pills.  

Tip: The enamel on your teeth doesn't fare well with the extreme acidity of vitamin C powder. Therefore, drink it with a straw to protect your teeth as much as possible. 

(Effervescent) tablet 

Tablets and effervescent tablets are convenient and easy to carry. Effervescent tablets also dissolve quickly in water and are easy to take, but unfortunately, they often contain sweeteners and artificial additives. If you want to avoid these, it's better to choose ‘regular’ tablets or capsules. The advantage of (effervescent) tablets is that you know exactly how much vitamin C you're getting, and sometimes other substances are added to improve absorption.

Drops