What is Vitamin C effervescent?
An effervescent tablet is a compressed tablet that fizzes and dissolves in water, turning a supplement into a drink. Each Vitacee-500 tablet carries 500 mg of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in an orange flavour, and one tablet dissolved in a glass of water is a day’s serving. It suits people who dislike swallowing capsules.
What does vitamin C actually do?
Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin the body cannot make or store, so it has to come from food or a supplement every day. The functions below are the recognised nutrient function claims, and they describe contributions to normal body processes rather than treatment of anything.
| Function | What that means in practice |
|---|---|
| Normal collagen formation | Collagen is the structural protein in skin, cartilage, bone, teeth, gums and blood vessels. Vitamin C is required for the body to form it normally, which is why deficiency shows first in gums and skin. |
| Normal immune function | Vitamin C contributes to the normal working of the immune system. It supports a system that is already functioning, rather than preventing illness. |
| Protection from oxidative stress | Here it acts as an antioxidant, helping protect cells from oxidative damage. |
| Reduced tiredness and fatigue | Vitamin C contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and helps reduce tiredness and fatigue, most noticeably where intake was low to begin with. |
| Iron absorption | It also increases absorption of non haem iron, the form found in plant foods. Useful alongside a vegetarian diet, and relevant to the precautions below. |
These are contributions to normal function. Vitamin C does not prevent, treat or cure colds, infections or any other condition.
How much vitamin C do you actually need?
This is the question worth answering honestly, because 500 mg is well above the daily requirement and that is not automatically a bad thing.
Indian RDA sits at roughly 40 mg a day for adults. One orange gives you most of that. So a 500 mg tablet is a generous top up rather than a bare minimum.
Vitamin C is water soluble. What the body does not use is passed in urine rather than stored, which is why higher intakes are generally well tolerated.
Around 2,000 mg a day is the usual upper limit for adults. Above that, loose stools and stomach discomfort are common. One tablet keeps you comfortably below it.
How do you take it?
Take one tablet a day, or as your healthcare professional directs. Do not take more than one.
Use a full glass of plain water. Never chew the tablet or swallow it dry, because it is designed to dissolve first.
Let it dissolve completely and the bubbling stop. Then stir gently if anything remains at the bottom.
Consume straight away. Vitamin C degrades once dissolved and exposed to air, so a glass left standing loses potency.
Effervescent, tablet, or just food?
All three deliver vitamin C. They differ in convenience, cost and one detail most listings never mention.
| Effervescent | Standard tablet | Food | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of taking | Drink it, nothing to swallow | Needs swallowing | Requires planning meals |
| Dose certainty | 500 mg, fixed | Fixed | Varies with the food and season |
| Taste | Orange flavoured drink | None | Whatever you are eating |
| Contains sodium | Yes, from the fizzing base | No | No |
| Best for | People who dislike pills, or want a drink | Lowest cost per dose | Everyone, as the foundation |
Citrus fruit, amla, guava, capsicum and green leafy vegetables are all good dietary sources. A supplement fills gaps in a diet rather than replacing one.
Product specification
| Product | Vitacee-500, by Altius Life Sciences, a division of Ultra Healthcare |
| Form | Effervescent tablet, dissolved in water |
| Active ingredient | Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), 500 mg per tablet |
| Pack | 20 tablets, roughly a 20 day supply at one a day |
| Flavour | Orange |
| Dietary | Vegetarian, green dot on pack. Gluten free. |
| Intended for | Adults. The pack is marked health supplement for adult use. |
| Manufacturing | GMP certified facility |
| Storage | Cool and dry, away from sunlight, heat and moisture. Close the tube tightly straight after taking a tablet, since moisture sets off the effervescent base. |
| Shipping | India Post or DHL, 3 to 5 days, free on prepaid orders |
| Policies | Shipping and delivery · Returns and refunds · Contact support |
Safety and precautions
- Effervescent tablets contain sodium. The fizz comes from a bicarbonate base, so every tablet adds a little sodium to your day. One tablet is a small contribution, but if you are being treated for high blood pressure, kidney disease or diabetes, check the sodium figure on the label with your doctor before making it a daily habit.
- Do not exceed one tablet a day. Around 2,000 mg daily is the usual adult ceiling for vitamin C, and going past it commonly causes loose stools, cramping and nausea.
- Check your other supplements. Multivitamins, immunity blends and sachets often contain vitamin C too, and doses stack without you noticing.
- Anyone with a history of kidney stones, particularly oxalate stones, should ask a doctor before taking high dose vitamin C.
- Haemochromatosis, thalassaemia or iron overload all warrant a word with your doctor first, because vitamin C increases iron absorption.
- On a salt restricted diet? The sodium point at the top of this list applies to you directly.
- For adults. Not intended for children unless a paediatrician advises it.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women should check with their doctor before starting any supplement.
- Discontinue and seek advice if you experience persistent stomach upset, diarrhoea or an unusual reaction.
- Keep out of reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date printed on the tube.
Frequently asked questions
Dose and timing
Suitability
What it does and does not do
Disclaimer: This is a health supplement for adult use, not a medicine. It does not diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and it does not alter skin colour. It is intended to complement, not replace, a balanced and varied diet. Read the label before use and do not exceed the recommended dose. Consult a qualified medical practitioner before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking prescription medicine, or managing a diagnosed condition.
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