Vitamin C

What is vitamin C?

Updated 3 Nov 2026

Short answer

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a vitamin that dissolves in water. People must get it from food, because the human body cannot make it.[1] Fruits and vegetables are the best sources: half a cup of raw red pepper has 95 mg, a medium orange 70 mg and a kiwifruit 64 mg.[1] Most supplements contain ascorbic acid; other forms are sodium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate and Ester-C.[1]

Sources (1)

  1. Vitamin C: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. ods.od.nih.gov

More about vitamin c

How much vitamin C do you need a day?What is vitamin C used for?What are the signs of vitamin C deficiency?Is vitamin C safe?Does vitamin C prevent or shorten colds?Does vitamin C lower blood pressure?

For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.