Alacer’s Emergen-C is easily one of the most ubiquitous products in the natural foods market, and its presence is also well felt in even the most traditional grocery and drugstores. It’s used for colds, hangovers, and general wellness. I myself have been dissolving these little packets of magically fizzing powder into water for years. But the other day, as I sat waiting for the fizzing to come to a stop, I thought, what exactly IS Emergen-C?*
The easy answer is, it’s vitamins. However, the whole truth is more complicated. It’s a product that contains chemically-derived vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It’s packaged in small, airtight plastic packages because the product is “moisture-sensitive and effervescent,” which is also why the powder isn’t available in bulk. Alacer’s website doesn’t say whether the small plastic packets can be recycled, though the retail boxes that contain these packets on shelves are recyclable, at least.
In addition to the vitamins and minerals in this product, there are also a number of other things included in its ingredients. For one, the ingredient list states the inclusion of one of our all-time least favorites here on The Sustainable Scoop, “natural flavors.” But there are other things, less discussed things, that I thought I should fill you in on (to the best of my ability). Following is a list of sorts, designed to be a basic guide and a starting point for understanding what is really in Emergen-C.
INGREDIENTS:
Vitamin C, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Manganese, Chromium, Sodium, Potassium, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Quercetin, fructose, citric acid, natural flavor, tapioca maltodextrin, malic acid, silica, glycine, aspartic acid, tartaric acid, and cysteine hydrochloride.
BREAKDOWN:
Okay, that’s a lot of vitamins and minerals. I don’t know that much about supplement sourcing or testing, so I can’t comment on the quality of those used in Emergen-C in one way or the other. However, Alacer’s FAQs do describe their Vitamin C source, testing, and quality assurance, and it seems to be fairly straightforward. As for some of the other ingredients, this is my current understanding of what they are:
Cysteine hydrochloride: An amino acid with antioxidant properties, though it’s classified as a non-essential amino acid because it can be synthesized from alpha-amino acids by the human body.
Malic acid: an acid with a tart taste, also found in sour apples.
Aspartic acid: An alpha-amino acid that, while classified as non-essential, forms the building blocks of several essential amino acids.
Tartaric acid: An acid with antioxidant properties and a tart taste, also found in grapes, bananas, and wine.
Tapioca Maltodextrin: a form of starch.
Glycine: An amino acid commonly found in animal proteins, with collagen being one-third glycine.
Silica: A hard chemical found in glass and concrete, it supposedly passes through the gastrointestinal tract without harm. However, Skin Deep rates the additive as being less than desirable, though most of the negative rating is due to the danger of inhaling silica.
So, I guess Emergen-C is many things in one. Though “natural flavors” is always a confounding and frustratingly broad ingredient descriptor, it’s not enough to keep me from drinking dissolved Emergen-C or from recommending it to others. This product has many health benefits, and it’s saved me from many colds. Also, it’s fantastic for combating a hangover. Or so I’ve heard.
So, fizz away, people. Here’s my Emergen-C packet technique: pour a little water into a glass, empty the packet into the glass, and swish it around. Once the fizzing has subsided, fill the rest of the glass with water. Voila! Instant refreshment.
*For reference, I’m using the standard Lemon-Lime Emergen-C as a basic for this post. I did check the ingredients on other flavors of Emergen-C packets, including the Emergen-C Lite, and they’re pretty similar. For specifics on a particular flavor or product, visit Alacer’s website.
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