Why We Chose It

Emergen-C is a popular product that combines vitamin C and B with other vitamins and nutrients. Each dose comes in an individual packet of powder that needs to be mixed with water. The vitamin C used in this formula is standard ascorbic acid with a daily dose of 1,000 mg. The dosage is lower than other brands we evaluated, and there is little in this formula to help with absorption. However, Emergen-C does include zinc ascorbate, which some studies have shown can be beneficial for the immune system. Unfortunately, those studies used a minimum of 75 mg of zinc, and Emergen-C only has 2 mg. So, you may not want to rely too heavily on the zinc in this formula to offer much immune support. This brand has done a good job marketing its product over the years but found itself having to settle a class-action lawsuit in 2014 because they could not substantiate the claims they made. We found Emergen-C to be similar to Airborne in the fact that they don’t pack a potent and highly bioavailable dose of vitamin C but have elements that are like a low-dose multi-vitamin.

*Results are based on user-generated experiences with these products, and individual results may vary. Please refer to the manufacturer’s product website for detailed information.