Ascorbic acid powder represents an effective way to take more vitamin C without swallowing pills or pouring syrupy liquids. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, provides antioxidant protection to help your body fight illness. For those who have a difficult time getting enough vitamin C from foods each day or who dislike other vitamin products, powdered ascorbic acid can come to the rescue. Look for the readily available product in drug stores, supermarkets and health food stores.
Definition
Ascorbic acid powder is a powdered form of vitamin C. Like other nutrient supplements, powdered ascorbic acid is meant to supplement the nutrients in your daily diet or to make up for a specific vitamin deficiency. Powdered vitamins, which may be packaged in loose form in containers or in individual daily packets, are generally taken mixed with water. Follow package directions to determine how much of the powder to take each day, unless your doctor specifics more or less of the supplement.
Benefits
While fruits and vegetables provide the most complete form of vitamin C, powdered ascorbic acid appears to provide more of the nutrient than slow-release tablets, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Vitamin C is one of the primary antioxidants which strengthen the immune system and may slow the effects of aging, notes the the University of Maryland Medical Center. UMMC points out that serious deficiencies in the United States are rare, but that smokers may especially benefit from supplements because smoking leeches ascorbic acid from the body. In general, the antioxidant effects of vitamin C may help protect the body from heart disease, cancer, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, macular degeneration, asthma and pre-eclampsia. Severe deficiency causes scurvy, which brings about muscle weakness, sores and bleeding gums, notes MayoClinic.com.
Alternatives
Other forms of ascorbic acid include chewable tablets, capsules, time-release tablets and capsules, syrups, liquid and lozenges. You may choose to avoid using supplements and increasing your consumption foods rich in vitamin C. Some foods high in the nutrient are citrus fruits, citrus juices, green and red peppers, papaya, watermelon, strawberries, tomatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kiwi, blueberries and raspberries.
Recommended Dose
Factor in your food consumption of fruits and vegetables containing vitamin C to determine how much more ascorbic acid you need. UMMC suggests that adults take in a total of between 90 and 120 mg daily, teens between 65 and 75 mg, and younger children 15 to 45 mg. A higher dose may be required to see additional benefits -- up to 1000 mg for adults, notes UMMC. Talk to your doctor or child's pediatrician to determine the daily dose that's best for your family members.
Additional Uses
Powdered ascorbic acid helps keep cut, fresh apple slices from browning. The powder also minimizes browning for peaches, apples and other fruits during the canning or freezing process. Dissolve about ½ tsp. in canning syrup or in a small amount of water, depending on the preserving process.
Warning
Talk to your doctor about possible side effects or drug interactions. Most ascorbic acid supplements derive from corn and should be avoided by people with corn allergies, warns the University of Maryland Medical Center. Drug interactions are possible for patients taking blood-thinning medication, antibiotics, protease inhibitors, anti-inflammatory medications, including aspirin, acetaminophen, antacids with aluminum, barbiturates, nitrate medication and chemotherapy drugs. Other complications include an over-dose of iron in the body from people sensitive to the mineral, because vitamin C helps the body absorb more iron. Do not take more than 2,000 mg of total ascorbic acid, factoring in both dietary and supplement forms of the nutrient.
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