'
Emergen-C Vitamin C
SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 7 Researches
7.4
USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 18 Reviews
8.4
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Packet (9.1 g)
Amount Per Serving
%DV
Calories
35
 
Total Carbohydrate
8 g
3%†
Total Sugars
6 g
*
Includes 5 g Added Sugars
10%†
Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid, zinc ascorbate)
1,000 mg
1,111%
Thiamin (as thiamine hydrochloride) (Vit. B1)
0.36 mg
30%
Riboflavin (as riboflavin 5'-phosphate) (Vit. B2)
0.39 mg
30%
Niacin (Vit. B3)
4 mg
25%
Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine hydrochloride)
10 mg
588%
Folate (Vit. B9)
167 mcg DFE(100 mcg Folic Acid)
42%
Vitamin B12 (as cyanocobalamin)
25 mcg
1,042%
Pantothenic Acid (as calcium pantothenate) (Vit. B5)
2.5 mg
50%
Calcium (as calcium carbonate, monobasic calcium phosphate, tribasic calcium phosphate, calcium pantothenate)‡
50 mg
4%
Phosphorus (as monobasic potassium phosphate, monobasic calcium phosphate, monobasic sodium phosphate, tribasic calcium phosphate)‡
38 mg
3%
Magnesium (as magnesium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate)‡
53 mg
13%
Zinc (as zinc ascorbate)
2 mg
18%
Manganese (as manganese gluconate)
0.5 mg
22%
Chromium (as chromium picolinate)
10 mcg
29%
Sodium (as sodium bicarbonate, monobasic sodium phosphate)‡
65 mg
3%
Potassium (as potassium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, monobasic potassium phosphate)‡
200 mg
4%

Top Medical Research Studies

8
Vitamin C reduces cold severity
Vitamin C reduces the severity of common colds: a meta-analysis.
Highly relevant to cold treatments
We explored how vitamin C affects the severity of common colds through a comprehensive review of available studies. By including only randomized, placebo-controlled trials where participants received at least 1 gram of vitamin C daily, we aimed to investigate both the overall duration of colds and the intensity of symptoms experienced.

Our analysis found that vitamin C significantly reduced the severity of cold symptoms by about 15%. Interestingly, it appears that the benefits are more pronounced for those experiencing severe symptoms compared to mild ones. In specific comparisons, vitamin C didn’t substantially affect the duration of mild symptoms but had a notable impact on how long severe symptoms lasted.

This insight is crucial, as the common cold often leads to absenteeism at work and school, with more severe symptoms playing a key role in this setback. By highlighting vitamin C's greater effectiveness against intense cold symptoms, we suggest that future research should continue to look into how this vitamin can be utilized in managing cold severity.
Read More
8
Vitamin C's potential benefits highlighted
Bias against Vitamin C in Mainstream Medicine: Examples from Trials of Vitamin C for Infections.
Focused on vitamin C and colds
We assessed the longstanding debate about vitamin C’s effectiveness in treating the common cold. This exploration reveals that evidence has consistently indicated that vitamin C can indeed help reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms in certain circumstances.

However, despite this evidence, mainstream medicine has often favored what we call eminence-based medicine, relying on influential figures rather than empirical data. The skepticism surrounding vitamin C largely traces back to three pivotal studies published in 1975, two in JAMA and one in the American Journal of Medicine. These studies have shaped the narrative in textbooks and nutritional guidelines, despite exhibiting notable flaws that we carefully examined.

Furthermore, we highlighted misleading reporting in recent randomized trials and critical editorials published in JAMA regarding vitamin C. While our critique largely focuses on this journal, it reflects a broader trend across medical literature, indicating a possible bias against acknowledging the benefits of vitamin C in fighting colds.
Read More
8
Vitamin C reduces cold incidence
Vitamin C supplementation reduces the odds of developing a common cold in Republic of Korea Army recruits: randomised controlled trial.
Highly relevant to research question.
We conducted an insightful study to explore whether vitamin C supplementation can help reduce the incidence of common colds among Republic of Korea Army recruits. Our research involved a rigorous randomised, placebo-controlled trial that included 1,444 soldiers over a 30-day period.

In this study, we divided the participants into two groups: one received a daily dose of 6,000 mg of vitamin C while the other received a placebo with no vitamin C. We investigated the soldiers' medical records to see how many of them contracted a cold during the training period.

Our findings showed encouraging results. The group that took vitamin C had a 20% lower risk of developing a common cold compared to those who took the placebo. Interestingly, this protective effect was especially pronounced among recruits in certain training camps, as well as never smokers and those who were physically ranked at level three.

Overall, we observed that vitamin C supplementation appears to be an effective strategy for reducing the incidence of common colds in military settings, which may lead to considerations for implementing vitamin C provisions during basic training for soldiers.
Read More

Most Useful Reviews

9.5
Symptoms disappear quickly
Excellent vitamins! We've been using them during cold and flu seasons for years. At the first sign of illness, we start taking this vitamin C, and symptoms often vanish by day two! It's a fantastic product I keep in my first aid kit and recommend to friends. My daughter loves the raspberry flavour, while my son and husband prefer orange and tangerine. Highly recommend!
Read More
9.5
Quick recovery aid
This stuff is magic! My wife and I got a common cold, and our hosts provided this. It worked almost overnight! I’ve compared it to Ener-C and found Emergen-C definitely more effective. The packaging could be more eco-friendly.
Read More
9.5
Symptoms alleviate quickly
A super supplement! I take a sachet when I feel unwell. It has a high dose of vitamin C, and though those with stomach issues should be cautious, it works effectively for me, alleviating common cold symptoms swiftly. I recommend it to everyone; it’s a must-have!
Read More

Medical Researches

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 7 Researches
7.4
  • All Researches
9
Vitamin C aids common cold recovery
Vitamin C as a Supplementary Therapy in Relieving Symptoms of the Common Cold: A Meta-Analysis of 10 Randomized Controlled Trials.
Moderate relevance due to combination therapy
We explored the potential benefits of vitamin C as a supplementary treatment for relieving common cold symptoms. By analyzing data from 10 randomized controlled trials, all focused on patients in China, we sought to understand how combining vitamin C with antiviral therapy might enhance recovery.

Our findings revealed that vitamin C supplementation could significantly improve overall efficacy, with a reported relative risk of 1.27. Moreover, it was shown to shorten the time it takes for symptoms to get better and for patients to heal, compared to antiviral therapy alone.

While vitamin C seems to have a positive impact when paired with antiviral drugs, it’s essential to note that its individual effects might not be fully clear due to the combined treatment approach used in the studies. Nonetheless, vitamin C presents itself as a promising addition to traditional cold treatments, helping patients manage their symptoms more effectively.
Read More
8
Vitamin C reduces cold severity
Vitamin C reduces the severity of common colds: a meta-analysis.
Highly relevant to cold treatments
We explored how vitamin C affects the severity of common colds through a comprehensive review of available studies. By including only randomized, placebo-controlled trials where participants received at least 1 gram of vitamin C daily, we aimed to investigate both the overall duration of colds and the intensity of symptoms experienced.

Our analysis found that vitamin C significantly reduced the severity of cold symptoms by about 15%. Interestingly, it appears that the benefits are more pronounced for those experiencing severe symptoms compared to mild ones. In specific comparisons, vitamin C didn’t substantially affect the duration of mild symptoms but had a notable impact on how long severe symptoms lasted.

This insight is crucial, as the common cold often leads to absenteeism at work and school, with more severe symptoms playing a key role in this setback. By highlighting vitamin C's greater effectiveness against intense cold symptoms, we suggest that future research should continue to look into how this vitamin can be utilized in managing cold severity.
Read More
8
Vitamin C's potential benefits highlighted
Bias against Vitamin C in Mainstream Medicine: Examples from Trials of Vitamin C for Infections.
Focused on vitamin C and colds
We assessed the longstanding debate about vitamin C’s effectiveness in treating the common cold. This exploration reveals that evidence has consistently indicated that vitamin C can indeed help reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms in certain circumstances.

However, despite this evidence, mainstream medicine has often favored what we call eminence-based medicine, relying on influential figures rather than empirical data. The skepticism surrounding vitamin C largely traces back to three pivotal studies published in 1975, two in JAMA and one in the American Journal of Medicine. These studies have shaped the narrative in textbooks and nutritional guidelines, despite exhibiting notable flaws that we carefully examined.

Furthermore, we highlighted misleading reporting in recent randomized trials and critical editorials published in JAMA regarding vitamin C. While our critique largely focuses on this journal, it reflects a broader trend across medical literature, indicating a possible bias against acknowledging the benefits of vitamin C in fighting colds.
Read More
8
Vitamin C reduces cold incidence
Vitamin C supplementation reduces the odds of developing a common cold in Republic of Korea Army recruits: randomised controlled trial.
Highly relevant to research question.
We conducted an insightful study to explore whether vitamin C supplementation can help reduce the incidence of common colds among Republic of Korea Army recruits. Our research involved a rigorous randomised, placebo-controlled trial that included 1,444 soldiers over a 30-day period.

In this study, we divided the participants into two groups: one received a daily dose of 6,000 mg of vitamin C while the other received a placebo with no vitamin C. We investigated the soldiers' medical records to see how many of them contracted a cold during the training period.

Our findings showed encouraging results. The group that took vitamin C had a 20% lower risk of developing a common cold compared to those who took the placebo. Interestingly, this protective effect was especially pronounced among recruits in certain training camps, as well as never smokers and those who were physically ranked at level three.

Overall, we observed that vitamin C supplementation appears to be an effective strategy for reducing the incidence of common colds in military settings, which may lead to considerations for implementing vitamin C provisions during basic training for soldiers.
Read More
7
Vitamin C and common colds
Vitamin C for the common cold and pneumonia.
High relevance to cold treatment
We investigated how vitamin C affects the common cold, focusing on its potential for prevention and treatment. Research indicates that while vitamin C does not prevent colds in the general population when taken at doses over 1 g/day, it has been beneficial for individuals engaging in heavy physical activity, effectively halving their incidence of colds.

Looking into regular supplementation, we found that taking 1 g or more daily can reduce the severity of colds by about 15%. However, when it comes to starting vitamin C after cold symptoms begin, results are less consistent, though higher doses of 6-8 g/day did significantly shorten the duration of colds compared to lower doses.

Interestingly, historical studies showed that vitamin C might prevent pneumonia in specific populations, such as schoolboys or soldiers, but this doesn’t translate to the general public. While some trials indicated potential benefits for pneumonia patients, the evidence is not conclusive.

Overall, we see that given the evidence supporting reduced severity and duration of colds, along with its safety and affordability, it may be worth considering a higher dose of vitamin C for those looking to manage cold symptoms better.
Read More

User Reviews

USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 18 Reviews
8.4
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
9.5
Symptoms disappear quickly
Excellent vitamins! We've been using them during cold and flu seasons for years. At the first sign of illness, we start taking this vitamin C, and symptoms often vanish by day two! It's a fantastic product I keep in my first aid kit and recommend to friends. My daughter loves the raspberry flavour, while my son and husband prefer orange and tangerine. Highly recommend!
Read More
9.5
Quick recovery aid
This stuff is magic! My wife and I got a common cold, and our hosts provided this. It worked almost overnight! I’ve compared it to Ener-C and found Emergen-C definitely more effective. The packaging could be more eco-friendly.
9.5
Symptoms alleviate quickly
A super supplement! I take a sachet when I feel unwell. It has a high dose of vitamin C, and though those with stomach issues should be cautious, it works effectively for me, alleviating common cold symptoms swiftly. I recommend it to everyone; it’s a must-have!
9.5
Cold fighter
Great for combating common colds.
8.3
Effectively treats colds
Good. Whenever I’m busy at work, I catch a common cold early on. I drink it a few times and feel better. I usually have it when the weather changes. The taste is lovely and pleasant. I’ve been consuming it for several years.
image