Ascorbic Acid vs Sodium Ascorbate

Both ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbate are forms of Vitamin C.  Sodium Ascorbate falls under the category of mineral salts. Therefore, while ascorbic acid is the pure form of Vitamin C, Sodium Ascorbate is the sodium salt of ascorbic acid.

What is Ascorbic Acid?

As the name suggests, ascorbic acid is acidic in nature and dissolves well in water to give mildly acidic solutions. It is an organic chemical compound with a polyhydroxy function that gives it antioxidant properties. Hence, ascorbic acid is used as a common antioxidant food additive.

What is Sodium Ascorbate?

Sodium Ascorbate is the sodium salt of ascorbic acid and is a common mineral salt. It is produced through the reaction between equal amounts of ascorbic acid and sodium bicarbonate with further precipitation using isopropanol.

Being a mineral ascorbate, it is buffered and, therefore, less acidic than ascorbic acid.

Usually, sodium ascorbate is recommended for people who have gastrointestinal problems associated with ascorbic acid. Sodium ascorbate is considered mild and more abdomen friendly.

However, when including sodium ascorbate in diet, it is important to keep in mind that the sodium is also being very well absorbed by the body along with the ascorbic acid.

Therefore, the dosage of intake should be carefully monitored. Sodium Ascorbate is water soluble and hence can only protect water soluble forms from oxidation.

• Ascorbic acid is an organic acid whereas sodium ascorbate is a mineral salt of ascorbic acid.
• Sodium ascorbate is milder than ascorbic acid as it is buffered and has less acidity. That makes sodium ascorbate more stomach friendly than ascorbic acid.
• Sodium ascorbate has an ester function whereas ascorbic acid does not have an ester function in it.