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What is Effervescent Vitamin C?

Laura M. Sands
Laura M. Sands

Effervescent vitamin C is a unique form of the vitamin that, when submerged in liquid, reacts by bubbling and fizzing. While vitamin C can be taken in other forms and even garnered from natural food sources, some people choose to take this product because of how it tastes, as many people say that it tastes like mineral water. Although it creates a fizzy drink, quality effervescent supplements do not contain any additional acids or sodium, but many do contain additional minerals, such as zinc.

People who have difficulties swallowing tablets or who do not like the taste of chewable vitamin tablets often choose effervescent vitamin C as an alternative. Some manufacturers also claim that this form contains less sodium than other tablets. Many who do not like the taste of chewable tablets have been known to crush them and add them to juice for easier digestion. This does add extra sugar, however.

Effervescent vitamin C fizzes and dissolves in water.
Effervescent vitamin C fizzes and dissolves in water.

Vitamin C is believed to be helpful in boosting the body’s natural immunity against viral infections, as well as helping to fight off illnesses, such as the common cold. Drinks and other vitamin C products are often marketed to parents, especially during cold and flu seasons, as a way to help keep children healthy. While many children may not like the sour taste of traditional pills, effervescent forms of the vitamin may be easier for youngsters to tolerate.

Effervescent vitamin C is sold in powder form.
Effervescent vitamin C is sold in powder form.

Effervescent vitamin C is usually available wherever health products and vitamin supplements are sold. In some instances, it can even be more affordable when compared to tablets and other forms. This may be especially helpful for people who take vitamin C on a daily basis for its antioxidant effect, which is helpful in preventing a stroke or heart attack and helps lower blood pressure.

Although vitamin C may help boost the immune system, large doses may cause headaches and nausea.
Although vitamin C may help boost the immune system, large doses may cause headaches and nausea.

While the effervescent vitamin can be added to most liquids, manufacturers only recommend adding it to water to receive the maximum ascorbic acid benefit. In fact, some manufacturers even discourage depositing the vitamin directly in juice since doing so sometimes causes more of a foaming action and may even cause gas in some people. Whether purchased in powder or crystal form, unused portions also must be kept dry so as not to activate the vitamin benefits prior to use.

Discussion Comments

tolleranza

I take loads of vitamins everyday, their taste doesn't bother me too much as long as I have something to wash them down with right away, even if it is only water.

I can see why people with hyper-sensitive stomach's and hyper-sensitive taste bud's prefer the effervescent Vitamin C tablets over the regular Vitamin C tablets though.

When I had a major cold, I took Vitamin C tablets and they didn't seem to help much. I didn't try the effervescent ones though, maybe they would have worked better.

Now that I take a lot of vitamins, I rarely, if ever, get sick. I really do think the benefits are a lot greater for you if you take vitamins everyday, not just when you are sick.

So I would recommend to those who are fans of the effervescent vitamin c tablet to take it daily, instead of just when you start feeling sick.

You may be pleasantly surprised with the end results of taking vitamins daily!

StarJo

Once you come down with a cold, effervescent vitamin C can’t do much to help you. It’s best to take it regularly to prevent getting sick.

My husband bought some once he started feeling under the weather. He didn’t believe me when I told him it was too late to reap the benefits, so he took them anyway. He stayed sick for a week, and he saw that I was right.

Now, he takes one a day for prevention. This is good, because he doesn’t eat enough fruits and vegetables to get a good dose of vitamin C from his diet.

He hasn’t gotten sick in months, and I think that the effervescent drink is the reason. He likes the fizzy texture and tangy taste, and he drinks it instead of soda in the morning before work.

hamje32

@Charred - I’ve heard that it’s actually hard to overdose on vitamin C because your body will excrete the excess amounts through the urine.

I don’t recommend that you do it, however. I think if you stay with 1000 milligram tablets you should be okay. This seems to be the maximum recommended dosage.

Or if you want, you can choose to eat oranges, two or three per day, and only take the tablets when you don’t have oranges or fresh orange juice nearby.

Charred

@miriam98 - I am wondering if Vitamin C should be taken in mega doses to really prevent colds and flu?

I usually hear that 1000 mg vitamin C is recommended if you’re feeling weak or have some conditions like bleeding gums. I don’t want to overdose, however; I just want the amount needed to keep me healthy throughout the winter season.

miriam98

I still wonder why the scientific community insists that there is no proof of a connection between vitamin C consumption and avoiding symptoms like the cold or the flu. I think they mean there are no peer reviewed studies and that all of the claims are basically anecdotal.

I understand that, but anecdotal evidence is good if there are enough stories behind those anecdotes in my opinion. I’ve been taking vitamin C in different forms, both the effervescent tables and also liquid vitamin C, and I haven’t had a cold in years.

This is even despite the fact that other people in my workplace have been walking around with colds and sniffles while I have been relatively free of symptoms. Yes, it’s an anecdote, but if it’s your story then it’s certainly good enough.

fify

@burcidi-- I wouldn't give effervescent vitamins to toddlers and kids.

There isn't anything wrong with them having vitamins, but children's vitamins or good old fruit and fruit juice is better. The reason is that most effervescent vitamins have artificial sweeteners in them which are not healthy for kids. It tends to cause diarrhea, gas and stomach upset in children.

Just give your nephew warm liquids and fruit juices.

burcidi

I didn't know that it's not a good idea to have an effervescent tablet in juice. I've done that a couple of times because I don't enjoy the taste of it much. Oops! I won't do it again!

It's also a bad idea to put it in hot water. I tried that once because I though that it might be like those cold medicine effervescent tablets that require hot water. It tastes even weirder with hot water though and bubbles too much.

Does anyone know if vitamin C effervescent tablets are okay for kids and toddlers?

My three year-old nephew seems to be coming down with something. I wonder if we can give him half of a tablet in water to boost his immune system a little bit. Has anyone tried this?

ysmina

I love these effervescent tablets! They are so easy to take and I actually like the taste a lot.

I caught a really bad cold last month and picked up some of these vitamin C tablets from the pharmacy. My throat was really swollen, so I wanted something that would be easy to consume. I was also really impressed with how much calcium one effervescent tablet holds- 1000mg! I doubt I would be able to get so much naturally every day no matter how many oranges I ate.

I drank one everyday until my cold symptoms disappeared. It was really practical because I threw a few tablets in my bag and drank it whenever I remembered it during the day. Sometimes I had it at work and sometimes I drank it while driving.

I think that this is a really affordable and practical option for taking vitamin C.

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    • Effervescent vitamin C fizzes and dissolves in water.
      By: Gresei
      Effervescent vitamin C fizzes and dissolves in water.
    • Effervescent vitamin C is sold in powder form.
      By: Orlando Bellini
      Effervescent vitamin C is sold in powder form.
    • Although vitamin C may help boost the immune system, large doses may cause headaches and nausea.
      By: lithian
      Although vitamin C may help boost the immune system, large doses may cause headaches and nausea.
    • People who already take a multivitamin supplement may not need to take additional, effervescent vitamin C.
      By: Nenov Brothers
      People who already take a multivitamin supplement may not need to take additional, effervescent vitamin C.
    • Vitamin C can stop free radicals from prematurely aging the body.
      By: chuugo
      Vitamin C can stop free radicals from prematurely aging the body.
    • Effervescent vitamin C can be useful for fighting the common cold.
      By: Steve Carroll
      Effervescent vitamin C can be useful for fighting the common cold.
    • Effervescent vitamin C can be an alternative to vitamin C tablets.
      By: Little Black Cat
      Effervescent vitamin C can be an alternative to vitamin C tablets.
    • Taking vitamin C on a daily basis may help lower blood pressure.
      By: Cheyenne
      Taking vitamin C on a daily basis may help lower blood pressure.
    • Effervescent drinks can help children get the vitamin C they need.
      By: elisabetta figus
      Effervescent drinks can help children get the vitamin C they need.