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Alive! Vitamin C

4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(1134 ratings)
Vitamin C 500 mg
Product Image
Score72
A practical acerola-derived vitamin C powder for users who prefer a food-based source. Carbohydrate and limited standardization detail are the main trade-offs.
How scoring works
Powder
Quantity:4 Ounce(s) • (30 servings)
Goals:
Immunity
General Health
Skin Health
Anti-Inflammatory Support

Score 72

A practical acerola-derived vitamin C powder for users who prefer a food-based source. Carbohydrate and limited standardization detail are the main trade-offs.
How scoring works
$7.53($0.25 per serving)
iHerb
$ 20.61
Vitacost
$ 23.15
Pure Formulas
$ 20.50
Walmart
$ 7.53
Vitacost
$ 23.15
Report prices

Analysis

Acerola supplies a useful amount of vitamin C for antioxidant defense, collagen synthesis, and normal immune function. The named organic source may appeal to users who prefer food-derived ingredients.

The supplied label does not explain standardization or the specific vitamin C form, leaving some uncertainty about source characterization. Several grams of carbohydrate also make the powder less streamlined than a capsule.

The product offers meaningful vitamin C depth but no complementary eye, skin-barrier, or immune actives. It fits users who value an acerola-based powder more than minimal carbohydrate or highly detailed source disclosure.

Who is it for
  • Users preferring acerola-derived vitamin C
  • Adults who like mixable powders
  • People avoiding plain isolated ascorbic acid
Best for
  • Food-source vitamin C supplementation
  • Antioxidant support
  • Collagen and immune nutrition

Pros

  • Organic acerola source
  • Meaningful vitamin C amount
  • Powder format is easy to mix

Cons

  • Standardization is not explained
  • Contains several grams of carbohydrate
  • No complementary active nutrients

Warnings

  • The carbohydrate content may matter for users closely managing dietary intake
  • Check the serving carefully because powder portions can vary when measured loosely
  • People prone to calcium oxalate kidney stones should consider total supplemental vitamin C intake

Nutrient quality

81 Highest impact

The serving remains well below the adult tolerable upper limit. Several grams of carbohydrate add bulk without improving the active dose.

Ingredient transparency

77 High impact

No proprietary active blend hides the stated vitamin C dose. Basic macronutrients are disclosed, while a full non-active ingredient list is absent.

Customer satisfaction

64 Moderate impact

Feedback volume is substantial enough to make the aggregate rating more stable. No complaint text is supplied, so repetitive negative themes cannot be assessed.

Value for money

63 Moderate impact

The specialty source offers some justification, but formula detail and carbohydrate bulk weaken value. Carbohydrate bulk adds limited value to the vitamin C purpose.

Report analysis

Goals

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

Vitamin C from organic acerola supports immune-cell function, barrier integrity, and antioxidant protection. The disclosed amount reaches a meaningful daily threshold.

The food-derived source may appeal to users avoiding isolated ascorbic acid, though no additional immune actives are present. The powder offers good depth for vitamin C but narrow pathway coverage.

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

Acerola provides a practical amount of vitamin C for antioxidant, immune, and collagen support. Vitamin C is well established, although a single nutrient covers only one part of general health.

The disclosed amount is meaningful and the whole-food source is clearly named. The label does not specify standardization or a buffered form, leaving some uncertainty about delivery quality.

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

The focused formula supports collagen synthesis and antioxidant protection in the skin. Organic acerola supplies the vitamin C, but its active form and standardization are not explained.

It does not provide collagen peptides, barrier lipids, or hydration-focused actives. The carbohydrate base adds some bulk without broadening skin support.

Study evidence
Vitamin C Supportive 53 studies
Anti-Inflammatory Support
Cellular Defense
Anti-Inflammatory Support
Impact
High effect
C+ Goal FitB- Strength of SupportD CoverageB Formula Quality
Vitamin C · 500 mg

Organic acerola-derived Vitamin C supplies antioxidant support that may help limit oxidative stress linked with inflammatory signaling. The disclosed 500 mg serving reaches a practical Vitamin C amount.

A whole-food source provides antioxidant support in a simple powder format. Missing standardization, chemical-form, and buffering details limit confidence in delivery quality.

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

Acerola-derived vitamin C provides general antioxidant support at a useful amount. The powder lacks macular carotenoids, zinc, copper, vitamin E, and DHA.

The source and vitamin amount are clearly stated. Its narrow single-antioxidant design is not a comprehensive vision strategy.

Study evidence
Vitamin C Disputed 24 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Calories
10 Calorie(s)
Total Carbohydrates
3 Gram(s)
Vitamin C (organic Acerola)
 500 mg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50 Vegan Dairy Free Sugar Free Organic Vegetarian
Report overview
Vitamin C (organic Acerola) · 500 mg OverallScore65
D- Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityB Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyB+ Value

Organic acerola supplies 500 mg of Vitamin C from a whole-food source, but the specific active form and standardization are not explained. The powder contains several grams of carbohydrate and lacks a stated buffering system. Cost efficiency is acceptable for a specialty botanical source.

View ingredientView products
Loading alternative details
89 Performance

Ester-C Plus 1000 mg Vitamin C

Solgar
<p>The ingredient profile is a stronger fit for focused vitamin C support, supplying 1000 mg of vitamin C as Ester-C with calcium and citrus bioflavonoids. Compared with the original’s organic Acerola, the mineral ascorbate form may be gentler and is more clearly aligned with focused vitamin C use.</p>
89 Performance

Buffered Gold C

California Gold Nutrition
<p>The ingredient profile is a stronger fit for focused vitamin C support, supplying 1000 mg of vitamin C as Sodium Ascorbate. Compared with the original’s organic Acerola, the mineral ascorbate form may be gentler and is more clearly aligned with focused vitamin C use.</p>
88 Performance

C

Swanson
<p>The ingredient profile is a stronger fit for focused vitamin C support, supplying 1000 mg of vitamin C as Calcium Ascorbate with calcium and citrus bioflavonoids. Compared with the original’s organic Acerola, the mineral ascorbate form may be gentler and is more clearly aligned with focused vitamin C use.</p>
89 Budget

Pure Buffered Calcium Ascorbate

NOW
<p>A lower cost per serving makes this a practical budget alternative, while it supplies 890 mg of vitamin C as Calcium Ascorbate with calcium. The vitamin C amount matches or exceeds the original's 500 mg serving. Its mineral ascorbate form may also be gentler than the original’s plain ascorbic acid.</p>
88 Budget

Sodium Ascorbate

NutriBiotic Immunity
<p>A lower cost per serving makes this a practical budget alternative, while it supplies 1100 mg of vitamin C as Sodium Ascorbate. The vitamin C amount matches or exceeds the original's 500 mg serving. Its mineral ascorbate form may also be gentler than the original’s plain ascorbic acid.</p>
87 Budget

100% Pure Vitamin C Powder

Swanson Premium Brand
<p>A lower cost per serving makes this a practical budget alternative, while it supplies 1000 mg of vitamin C as Ascorbic Acid. The vitamin C amount matches or exceeds the original's 500 mg serving.</p>
93 Value

Pure Buffered Magnesium Ascorbate

NOW
<p>Strong serving value is paired with 820 mg of vitamin C as Magnesium Ascorbate with magnesium. It matches or exceeds the original’s vitamin C amount and adds a potentially gentler mineral ascorbate form, balancing cost-effectiveness with a useful ingredient profile.</p>
93 Value

Sodium Ascorbate Capsules

NutriBiotic Immunity
<p>Strong serving value is paired with 850 mg of vitamin C as Sodium Ascorbate. It matches or exceeds the original’s vitamin C amount and adds a potentially gentler mineral ascorbate form, balancing cost-effectiveness with a useful ingredient profile.</p>
92 Value

Ester-C 500 mg With Citrus Bioflavoinds

American Health
<p>Strong serving value is paired with 1000 mg of vitamin C as Ester-C Calcium Ascorbate with calcium and citrus bioflavonoids. It matches or exceeds the original’s vitamin C amount and adds a potentially gentler mineral ascorbate form, balancing cost-effectiveness with a useful ingredient profile.</p>
Report alternatives

Sources

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

  1. Vitamin C intake and multiple health outcomes: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
    Xu K; Peng R; Zou Y; Jiang X; Sun Q; Song C · International journal of food sciences and nutrition · 2022
    Meta-analysis76 studies pooledGeneral Health forVitamin C
  2. 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
  3. Mortality in randomized trials of antioxidant supplements for primary and secondary prevention: systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Bjelakovic G; Nikolova D; Gluud LL; Simonetti RG; Gluud C · JAMA · 2007
    Meta-analysis232,606 participants68 studies pooledGeneral Health forVitamin C
  4. 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
  5. Effect of Vitamin C Supplements on Respiratory Tract Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
    Keya TA; Leela A; Fernandez K; Habib N; Rashid M · Current reviews in clinical and experimental pharmacology · 2022
    Meta-analysis10 studies pooledImmunity forVitamin C
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. 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
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. 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
  26. Nutritional modulation of cataract.
    Weikel KA; Garber C; Baburins A; Taylor A · Nutrition reviews · 2014
    Narrative reviewVision Support forVitamin C
  27. 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
  28. 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