Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbate)
Also known as: sodium L-ascorbate, buffered vitamin C, E301, sodium ascorbate
Sodium ascorbate is the sodium salt of ascorbic acid. It delivers the same vitamin C activity with a near-neutral pH and a milder, saltier taste, which makes it the usual choice for buffered vitamin C powders, gummies, liquids, and formulas for people who find plain ascorbic acid harsh on the stomach. Each gram carries about 890 mg of ascorbate and roughly 115 mg of sodium, a point worth flagging in high-dose products.
Research summary
Dissociates in the gut to ascorbate, which is absorbed and used identically to ascorbic acid.
Dosage
Daily amounts, elemental (89% of the compound is the element).
| Lowest studied | Typical range | Highest studied | Upper limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 mg | 250–1,000 mg | 2,000 mg | 2,000 mg |
NIH ODS — UL is 2,000 mg/day of vitamin C for adults 19+; applied to ascorbate content
Doses are mg of ascorbic acid equivalent (ascorbate). Elemental fraction 0.89 is stoichiometric: ascorbic acid MW 176.1 divided by sodium ascorbate MW 198.1 = 0.889. So 1,000 mg vitamin C requires about 1,124 mg sodium ascorbate, which also contributes about 130 mg sodium (sodium is 11.6 percent of the salt by mass). Same RDA and UL as ascorbic acid. Taste is less sour, so it tolerates higher inclusion in drink mixes and chewables.
Standardization: ≥99% sodium L-ascorbate (USP)
Source material: synthetic (neutralized ascorbic acid)
Forms of Vitamin C
| Form | Typical dose | Element % | Formats | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbate) | 250–1,000 mg | 89% | Capsule, Powder, Tablet, Gummy, Liquid | low |
| Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) | 250–1,000 mg | — | Capsule, Powder, Tablet, Gummy, Liquid | low |
| Vitamin C (Calcium Ascorbate) | 250–1,000 mg | 82% | Capsule, Powder, Tablet, Gummy, Liquid | low |
| Vitamin C (Ascorbyl Palmitate) | — | 42% | Softgel, Liquid, Capsule | mid |
Format suitability
- Capsule
- Powder
- Tablet
- Softgel
- Gummy
- Liquid
Preferred buffered form for powders and gummies; declare added sodium in high-dose servings.
Formulation notes
Adds sodium; account for it in electrolyte or low-sodium formulas. Otherwise formulates like ascorbic acid.
- Has an upper limit
Sources
Related ingredients
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
VitaminAscorbic acid is the reference form of vitamin C and the most common form in supplements; NIH ODS notes its bioavailability equals that of vitamin C naturally present in food.
Typical: 250–1,000 mg
Zinc Citrate
MineralA zinc salt of citric acid with a relatively high zinc content of about 31%, giving it a compactness advantage over gluconate and picolinate.
Typical: 10–25 mg
Vitamin C (Calcium Ascorbate)
VitaminCalcium ascorbate is the calcium salt of vitamin C, commonly supplied as the dihydrate.
Typical: 250–1,000 mg
Zinc Gluconate
MineralThe most common zinc salt in multivitamins, lozenges, and immune products, containing about 14.3% elemental zinc.
Typical: 10–25 mg
Vitamin E (d-Alpha-Tocopheryl Succinate)
VitaminThe succinate ester of natural (RRR or d-) alpha-tocopherol, the one vitamin E form the body maintains in plasma and the form on which the RDA is based.
Typical: 67–268 mg