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C 500 mg

Swanson
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(997 ratings)
Vitamin C 500 mg
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Score87
A well-dosed calcium ascorbate tablet with clear mineral disclosure and good stomach-friendly potential. It remains a narrow single-nutrient option.
How scoring works
Quantity:250 Tablet(s) • (250 servings)
Goals:
Immunity
General Health
Skin Health

Score 87

A well-dosed calcium ascorbate tablet with clear mineral disclosure and good stomach-friendly potential. It remains a narrow single-nutrient option.
How scoring works

Also available as

2 options
1000mg • 250 Tablet(s) servings C 1000 mg • 250 Tablet(s) • 250 servings $18.39 ($0.07 per serving) 1000mg • 250 Capsule(s) servings C 1000 mg • 250 Capsule(s) • 250 servings $19.79 ($0.07 per serving)
$17.39($0.06 per serving)
iHerb
$ 17.39
iHerb
$ 17.39
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Analysis

A 500 mg amount lands in a practical range for everyday vitamin C support. Calcium ascorbate is less acidic than plain ascorbic acid and may suit people who experience stomach discomfort with standard forms.

The accompanying 56 mg calcium is separately stated, making total mineral intake easy to judge. One tablet per serving keeps use simple without forcing a very high vitamin C amount.

The focused formula supports antioxidant defenses and collagen formation but does not address broader nutritional needs. It is a sensible buffered option rather than a comprehensive immune or skin formula.

Who is it for
  • Adults seeking buffered vitamin C
  • People sensitive to plain ascorbic acid
  • Users who prefer a moderate tablet dose
Best for
  • Daily vitamin C support
  • Lower-acid supplementation
  • Simple one-tablet use

Pros

  • Buffered calcium ascorbate
  • Practical 500 mg amount
  • Calcium contribution is disclosed

Cons

  • Narrow nutrient coverage
  • Adds 56 mg calcium
  • No complementary antioxidants

Warnings

  • Include the 56 mg calcium contribution when tracking total calcium intake.

Nutrient quality

95 Highest impact

Calcium ascorbate is a well-regarded buffered vitamin C form. The vitamin C amount is meaningful and well suited to routine supplementation.

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Ingredient transparency

85 Highest impact

Vitamin C and its associated calcium each have a specific amount. A complete inactive ingredient list was not supplied.

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Customer satisfaction

70 High impact

The available aggregate rating is strong for this category. No firsthand outcome details were supplied, so alignment with the intended use is uncertain.

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Value for money

94 Highest impact

The buffered form and useful amount provide strong quality for the serving cost. The product is competitive among buffered vitamin C tablets.

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Report analysis

Goals

Immunity
Immunity
Impact
Highest effect
A Goal FitA+ Strength of SupportC- CoverageA+ Formula Quality
Vitamin C · 500 mg

Vitamin C directly supports antioxidant defenses and normal immune-cell activity with strong evidence. The focused formula offers excellent depth for one nutrient rather than broad immune coverage.

The fully buffered calcium ascorbate form supplies a target-range amount with likely good stomach comfort. Vitamin C, its form, and the associated calcium are all clearly disclosed.

Study evidence
Vitamin C Supportive 53 studies
General Health
General Health
Impact
Highest effect
A Goal FitA Strength of SupportC CoverageA Formula Quality
Vitamin C · 500 mg

Calcium ascorbate supplies vitamin C in a buffered form that may be gentler than plain ascorbic acid. The meaningful vitamin amount and mineral contribution are clearly disclosed.

Coverage remains limited to antioxidant and collagen-related nutrition rather than broad general wellness. A simple, transparent formula keeps the product focused and easy to assess.

Study evidence
Vitamin C Supportive 56 studies
Skin Health
Skin Health
Impact
High effect
B Goal FitA- Strength of SupportC- CoverageA Formula Quality
Vitamin C · 500 mg

Vitamin C supports collagen synthesis and antioxidant defense, giving the formula a clear but narrow skin-health role. Fully buffered calcium ascorbate offers good stomach comfort with clear calcium disclosure.

The form is practical and well characterized, though it still focuses on only one major skin pathway. A single vitamin C product does not directly supply collagen peptides, barrier lipids, or dedicated hydration actives.

Study evidence
Vitamin C Supportive 53 studies
Anti-Inflammatory Support
Cellular Defense
Anti-Inflammatory Support
Impact
Moderate effect
D+ Goal FitB Strength of SupportF CoverageA+ Formula Quality
Vitamin C · 500 mg

Calcium ascorbate supplies a useful buffered vitamin C amount for antioxidant support. The form is well disclosed and should be gentler than plain ascorbic acid.

Vitamin C alone does not directly address major inflammatory enzyme or lipid-mediator pathways. The streamlined formula is strong for routine vitamin C but narrow for anti-inflammatory support.

Study evidence
Vitamin C Supportive 50 studies
Vision Support
Macular and Blue Light Defense
Vision Support
Impact
Moderate effect
F Goal FitB Strength of SupportF CoverageB- Formula Quality
Vitamin C · 500 mg

Vitamin C supports ocular antioxidant defenses but does not directly supply macular pigment or retinal lipids. Fully buffered calcium ascorbate provides a meaningful amount with clear vitamin C and calcium disclosure.

The formula covers one broad antioxidant pathway rather than comprehensive vision support. Lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc-copper balance, and DHA are absent.

Study evidence
Vitamin C Disputed 24 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Vitamin C (Calcium Ascorbate)
 500 mg
Calcium (Calcium Ascorbate)
 56 mg
Adults 18–50
Report overview
Vitamin C (Calcium Ascorbate) · 500 mg OverallScore89
B+ Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyB+ Value

Fully buffered calcium ascorbate delivers a target-range vitamin C dose with strong expected stomach comfort. Separate disclosure of vitamin C and calcium makes the mineral contribution clear. Cost efficiency is favorable for a buffered form intended for routine use.

View ingredientView products
Loading alternative details
89 Performance

Pure Buffered Calcium Ascorbate

NOW
A more performance-focused option combines 890 mg of vitamin C as Calcium Ascorbate with 100 mg of Calcium. Compared with the original's 500 mg of vitamin C as Calcium Ascorbate, the larger disclosed amount may better fit users seeking higher-potency vitamin C.
88 Performance

Buffered Gold C

California Gold Nutrition
A more performance-focused option combines 1,000 mg of vitamin C as Sodium Ascorbate with a focused single-nutrient formula. Compared with the original's 500 mg of vitamin C as Calcium Ascorbate, the larger disclosed amount may better fit users seeking higher-potency vitamin C.
85 Performance

Ester-C Plus 1000 mg Vitamin C

Solgar
A more performance-focused option combines 1,000 mg of vitamin C as Ester-C with 108 mg of Calcium and 200 mg of Citrus Bioflavonoids Complex. Compared with the original's 500 mg of vitamin C as Calcium Ascorbate, the larger disclosed amount may better fit users seeking higher-potency vitamin C.
84 Budget

Ester-C 500 mg With Citrus Bioflavoinds

American Health
The lower serving cost still provides 1,000 mg of vitamin C as Ester-C Calcium Ascorbate with 110 mg of Calcium and 400 mg of Citrus Bioflavonoids Complex. Compared with the original's 500 mg of vitamin C as Calcium Ascorbate, the larger disclosed amount may better fit users seeking higher-potency vitamin C.
89 Budget

C-500 Calcium Ascorbate-C

NOW
The lower serving cost still provides 500 mg of vitamin C as Calcium Ascorbate with 55 mg of Calcium and 10 mg of Citrus Bioflavonoid Complex. The vitamin C amount is similar to the original, while the added ingredients and label details determine the more useful fit.
88 Budget

Sodium Ascorbate

NutriBiotic Immunity
The lower serving cost still provides 1,100 mg of vitamin C as Sodium Ascorbate with a focused single-nutrient formula. Compared with the original's 500 mg of vitamin C as Calcium Ascorbate, the larger disclosed amount may better fit users seeking higher-potency vitamin C.
85 Value

C-500 With Rose Hips

NOW
The favorable serving cost pairs 500 mg of vitamin C as Ascorbic Acid with 40 mg of Rose Hips powder. The amount matches the original, while Ascorbic Acid replaces Calcium Ascorbate and gives users a different disclosed form.
87 Value

100% Pure Vitamin C Powder

Swanson Premium Brand
The favorable serving cost pairs 1,000 mg of vitamin C as Ascorbic Acid with a focused single-nutrient formula. Compared with the original's 500 mg of vitamin C as Calcium Ascorbate, the larger disclosed amount may better fit users seeking higher-potency vitamin C.
87 Value

C 500 mg

Mason Natural
The favorable serving cost pairs 500 mg of vitamin C as Ascorbic Acid with a focused single-nutrient formula. The amount matches the original, while Ascorbic Acid replaces Calcium Ascorbate and gives users a different disclosed form.
Report alternatives

Sources

Published studies used for the product analysis and the top-ranked studies for each ingredient and goal.

  1. Efficacy of Vitamin C as Glucocorticoid Substitute for Reducing Pain and Inflammation After Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
    Jiang W; Xu H; Jiang X; Zhan Y; Ju Y; Xie J; Huang Z; Huang Q; Pei F · The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume · 2025
    Randomized trial107 participantsAnti-Inflammatory Support forVitamin C
  2. The Impact of Vitamin C on Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, and Hemostatic Outcomes After Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
    Moftakhari Hajimirzaei S; Bagherzadeh Cham M; Dolikhani M; Tabatabaee SM; Ebrahimpour A · The archives of bone and joint surgery · 2026
    Meta-analysis1,162 participants10 studies pooledAnti-Inflammatory Support forVitamin C
  3. The impact of vitamin C supplementation on the perioperative outcomes after total hip and knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Liu X; Guo J; Li Y; Yang Y; Liu M; Gao Q; Yang Y; Wu X; Yue C · BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2026
    Meta-analysis852 participants8 studies pooledAnti-Inflammatory Support forVitamin C
  4. Therapeutic Impact of Ascorbic Acid on Oral and Periodontal Tissues: A Systematic Literature Review.
    Ruzijevaite G; Acaite E; Jagelaviciene E · Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2025
    Systematic review811 participants17 studies pooledAnti-Inflammatory Support forVitamin C
  5. Oral vitamin C administration reduces early recurrence rates after electrical cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation and attenuates associated inflammation.
    Korantzopoulos P; Kolettis TM; Kountouris E; Dimitroula V; Karanikis P; Pappa E; Siogas K; Goudevenos JA · International journal of cardiology · 2005
    Randomized trial44 participantsAnti-Inflammatory Support forVitamin C
  6. Dietary intake and blood concentrations of antioxidants and the risk of cardiovascular disease, total cancer, and all-cause mortality: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies.
    Aune D; Keum N; Giovannucci E; Fadnes LT; Boffetta P; Greenwood DC; Tonstad S; Vatten LJ; Riboli E; Norat T · The American journal of clinical nutrition · 2019
    Meta-analysis69 studies pooledGeneral Health forVitamin C
  7. Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to vitamin C and increasing non haem iron absorption pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
    EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) · EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority · 2026
    Guideline / consensusGeneral Health forVitamin C
  8. Vitamin C Depletion and All-Cause Mortality in Renal Transplant Recipients.
    Sotomayor CG; Eisenga MF; Gomes Neto AW; Ozyilmaz A; Gans ROB; Jong WHA; Zelle DM; Berger SP; Gaillard CAJM; Navis GJ; Bakker SJ · Nutrients · 2018
    Cohort study598 participantsGeneral Health forVitamin C
  9. Associations of Serum Biomarkers of Fruit and Vegetable Intake With the Risk of Cause-Specific Mortality and All-Cause Mortality: A National Prospective Cohort Study.
    Pu L; Zhang R; Wang X; Zhao T; Sun H; Han L · Frontiers in nutrition · 2022
    Cohort study12,530 participantsGeneral Health forVitamin C
  10. Relation between plasma ascorbic acid and mortality in men and women in EPIC-Norfolk prospective study: a prospective population study. European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition.
    Khaw KT; Bingham S; Welch A; Luben R; Wareham N; Oakes S; Day N · Lancet (London, England) · 2001
    Cohort study19,496 participantsGeneral Health forVitamin C
  11. Vitamin C and contribution to the normal function of the immune system: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
    EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) · EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority · 2026
    Guideline / consensusImmunity forVitamin C
  12. Therapeutic effects of high-dose vitamin C supplementation in patients with COVID-19: a meta-analysis.
    Sun L; Zhao JH; Fan WY; Feng B; Liu WW; Chen RQ; Ban C; Dang AG; Wang M; Luo KT; Zhou GY; Yu FF; Ba Y · Nutrition reviews · 2024
    Meta-analysis2,334 participants14 studies pooledImmunity forVitamin C
  13. Effect of micronutrient supplements on influenza and other respiratory tract infections among adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Abioye AI; Bromage S; Fawzi W · BMJ global health · 2021
    Meta-analysisImmunity forVitamin C
  14. New evidence for antioxidant properties of vitamin C.
    Vojdani A; Bazargan M; Vojdani E; Wright J · Cancer detection and prevention · 2001
    Randomized trial20 participantsImmunity forVitamin C
  15. Enhanced Vitamin C Delivery: A Systematic Literature Review Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Alternative Supplement Forms in Healthy Adults.
    Calder PC; Kreider RB; McKay DL · Nutrients · 2025
    Systematic review13 studies pooledImmunity forVitamin C
  16. Evaluation of the anti-wrinkle effect of an ascorbic acid-loaded dissolving microneedle patch via a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study.
    Lee C; Yang H; Kim S; Kim M; Kang H; Kim N; An S; Koh J; Jung H · International journal of cosmetic science · 2017
    Randomized trial23 participantsSkin Health forVitamin C
  17. Comparative Study on the Outcome of Periorbital Wrinkles Treated with Laser-Assisted Delivery of Vitamin C or Vitamin C Plus Growth Factors: A Randomized, Double-blind, Clinical Trial.
    Machado BHB; Frame J; Zhang J; Najlah M · Aesthetic plastic surgery · 2021
    Randomized trial149 participantsSkin Health forVitamin C
  18. Randomized trial of topical ascorbic acid in DMSO versus imiquimod for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma.
    Burke B; Bailie JE · Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie · 2022
    Randomized trial25 participantsSkin Health forVitamin C
  19. Vitamin C improves healing of foot ulcers: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
    Gunton JE; Girgis CM; Lau T; Vicaretti M; Begg L; Flood V · The British journal of nutrition · 2022
    Randomized trial16 participantsSkin Health forVitamin C
  20. Dietary nutrient intakes and skin-aging appearance among middle-aged American women.
    Cosgrove MC; Franco OH; Granger SP; Murray PG; Mayes AE · The American journal of clinical nutrition · 2007
    Cross-sectional study4,025 participantsSkin Health forVitamin C
  21. Role of Oral Vitamin 'C' on Astigmatic Errors in Phacoemulsification.
    Mohan S; Sah K; Khattri M; Ahmad L; Sachan SK · Current eye research · 2021
    Randomized trial400 participantsVision Support forVitamin C
  22. Ascorbic acid metabolites are involved in intraocular pressure control in the general population.
    Hysi PG; Khawaja AP; Menni C; Tamraz B; Wareham N; Khaw KT; Foster PJ; Benet LZ; Spector TD; Hammond CJ · Redox biology · 2019
    Observational studyVision Support forVitamin C
  23. Nutritional modulation of cataract.
    Weikel KA; Garber C; Baburins A; Taylor A · Nutrition reviews · 2014
    Narrative reviewVision Support forVitamin C
  24. Dietary n-3 Fatty Acid, α-Tocopherol, Zinc, vitamin D, vitamin C, and β-carotene are Associated with Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Japan.
    Aoki A; Inoue M; Nguyen E; Obata R; Kadonosono K; Shinkai S; Hashimoto H; Sasaki S; Yanagi Y · Scientific reports · 2017
    Case-control study530 participantsVision Support forVitamin C
  25. Adherence to a Mediterranean diet, lifestyle and age-related macular degeneration: the Coimbra Eye Study - report 3.
    Raimundo M; Mira F; Cachulo MDL; Barreto P; Ribeiro L; Farinha C; Laíns I; Nunes S; Alves D; Figueira J; Merle BM; Delcourt C; Santos L; Silva R · Acta ophthalmologica · 2019
    Case-control study883 participantsVision Support forVitamin C