Why much of the vitamin C on the market is synthetic, and what that means 

Vitamin C is one of the few vitamins that the body cannot produce or store on its own. This means you need to get it every day through your diet. It is also the best-selling vitamin in the world, and drugstore shelves are full of it. But what exactly is in those capsules and tablets? 

 

In almost all cases: ascorbic acid. A white, isolated substance produced in factories from corn syrup or glucose. It is chemically identical to the ascorbic acid found in fruit, and that is precisely why it can be called vitamin C. But the reality in the body is more complex than a chemical formula suggests. 

How ascorbic acid ended up in the supermarket 

The story begins in the 1930s. Albert Szent-Györgyi, a Hungarian biochemist, identified the active substance in citrus fruits that prevents scurvy and named it ascorbic acid. This earned him the Nobel Prize in 1937. Almost immediately afterward, chemists developed methods to produce ascorbic acid on an industrial scale. The raw material became glucose, usually derived from corn. 

 

Since then, production has only scaled up. The majority of the world's ascorbic acid comes from a handful of factories, mainly in China. It is processed into supplements, soft drinks, canned goods, meat products, and cosmetics. It is cheap, stable, and endlessly available. As a result, it is everywhere. 

Why a fruit is more than ascorbic acid 

When you squeeze an orange, you don’t just drink vitamin C. You drink vitamin C together with bioflavonoids, polyphenols, organic acids, minerals, fibers, and hundreds of other plant compounds. These substances work together. Bioflavonoids such as rutin and hesperidin improve the absorption of vitamin C and help keep it stable in the body. Polyphenols act as antioxidants alongside vitamin C, enhancing each other’s effects. 

 

This collaboration is no coincidence. It is exactly how plants develop their vitamin C: never as an isolated molecule, always as part of a broader whole. The body has adapted over millions of years of evolution to vitamin C in that matrix. An isolated dose of ascorbic acid from a factory is something completely different. It’s like taking the right word out of a sentence and expecting the sentence to still mean the same. 

What bioflavonoids actually do 

Bioflavonoids are a group of plant compounds that give color to fruits and vegetables and work together with vitamin C. Research shows that bioflavonoids can increase the stability and absorption of vitamin C. They protect vitamin C from oxidation in the gastrointestinal tract and help keep it available longer for the cells that need it. 

 

With synthetic ascorbic acid without bioflavonoids, a significant portion is lost before it can do its job. The body quickly excretes the excess through urine, which explains why high doses of synthetic vitamin C lead to the notorious 'expensive urine.' With vitamin C from a whole food source, that loss is much less. 

Camu camu: an unknown berry with a remarkable CV 

Deep in the Amazon region, in the swampy floodplains along the rivers of Peru and Brazil, grows a shrub called Myrciaria dubia. The fruits it bears are about the size of a grape, red-purple in color, and sour in taste. They are rarely eaten fresh. Their sourness is so intense that they are processed into powder immediately after harvest. That is camu camu. 

 

What makes camu camu so special is the concentration of vitamin C. Compared to an orange, the camu camu berry contains up to fifty times more vitamin C per gram. Per hundred grams of fruit, there is about 2,000 milligrams of vitamin C. No other food source comes close to that. 

 

But the berry does not only provide vitamin C. It also contains bioflavonoids, amino acids, minerals such as potassium, and plant polyphenols that act as antioxidants. It is a complete matrix in which the vitamin C is embedded, exactly as nature has formed it. 

 

Our camu camu capsules deliver 62 milligrams of natural vitamin C per two capsules, or 85% of the NRV. In the natural matrix of bioflavonoids, amino acids, and minerals found in the berry itself. No added synthetic ascorbic acid, no standardization. 

How our camu camu is processed 

The berries are organically grown in Peru, without pesticides or artificial fertilizers. They are dried immediately after harvest to optimally preserve the nutrients. No extraction, no standardization, no additives. What is in our capsules is the whole berry, ground into fine powder, in a bovine gelatin capsule. Nothing more, nothing less. 

 

The choice not to standardize is deliberate. Many other camu camu products on the market add extra synthetic ascorbic acid to claim a higher vitamin C content on the label. We do not do that because the whole point of whole food is to keep the nutrients in their original ratio. Otherwise, you might as well just buy synthetic ascorbic acid. 

Be sure you’re getting THE best Camu Camu at home

Synthetic ascorbic acid versus camu camu: the difference in one table 

To make concrete how the two relate to each other: 

Synthetisch ascorbinezuur Camu camu (whole food)
Bron Industrieel uit maïs of glucose Hele Amazone-bes
Vorm Geïsoleerd molecuul (L-ascorbinezuur) Vitamine C in natuurlijke matrix
Cofactoren Geen Bioflavonoïden, polyfenolen, mineralen
Opname Snelle pieken, snelle uitscheiding Geleidelijker, langer beschikbaar
Spijsverteringseffect Kan maagklachten geven bij hoge dosis Mild voor de spijsvertering
Aanwezig in de natuur? Niet in deze geïsoleerde vorm Bestaat al miljoenen jaren

Vergelijking tussen synthetisch ascorbinezuur uit industriële productie en vitamine C uit de hele camu camu bes.

The main difference is not in the number of milligrams per capsule. It lies in the form. Synthetic vitamin C can be useful in acute situations or with high doses of medication under supervision. For daily support of the immune system and overall health, a form that the body recognizes is wiser. 

400+ reviews on Google

"Every time I feel that my resistance is lower for whatever reason, I quickly take this vitamin C. It really works great and I quickly feel fitter again!"

Fleur S.

Verified Real Roots User

What your body uses vitamin C for every day 

Vitamin C is often reduced to one function: supporting the immune system. That is true, but it is only a fraction of what the substance does in your body. Vitamin C is a cofactor for at least eight enzymes involved in essential biochemical processes. 

 

For the immune system, vitamin C supports the production and function of white blood cells. It is concentrated both in the white blood cells themselves and in the skin, where it is part of the first line of defense against pathogens. A chronically low vitamin C status is associated with reduced resistance to respiratory infections. 

 

For the skin, vitamin C is indispensable in the production of collagen. Without enough vitamin C, the body cannot produce functional collagen. This explains why scurvy, the disease of severe vitamin C deficiency, manifests as bleeding gums, poor wound healing, and weakened connective tissue. Vitamin C is literally the building block that holds your skin, blood vessels, cartilage, and bones together. 

 

For iron absorption, vitamin C plays a key role. It converts non-heme iron (the plant-based form) into a form that the body can absorb better. People with iron deficiency, and especially those who get most of their iron from plant sources, benefit extra from a good vitamin C status. 

 

For the nervous system, vitamin C supports the production of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and noradrenaline. It is involved in the stress response and adrenal function. The highest concentration of vitamin C in the body is found in the adrenal glands, not without reason. 

 

For antioxidant defense, vitamin C works together with other antioxidants such as vitamin E and glutathione. It neutralizes free radicals that would otherwise damage cells and DNA. And as discussed in our blog about zinc and copper, vitamin C also works with the SOD enzymes that form the first line of defense against oxidative stress. 

Alt image

Who does this make the most difference for? 

Everyone needs vitamin C daily. But for some groups, the choice between synthetic ascorbic acid and a natural source is more than just a philosophical difference: 

 

People with sensitive digestion often notice that synthetic ascorbic acid in higher doses causes stomach discomfort. It is an isolated acid, and the body reacts differently to it than to vitamin C in a fruit matrix. Camu camu is experienced by most people as gentle on digestion, even with daily use. 

 

People recovering from illness, surgery, or intensive sports periods have an increased need for vitamin C. For them, a form with good bioavailability and accompanying bioflavonoids is more valuable than a high synthetic dose that is largely excreted immediately. 

 

Women during pregnancy and breastfeeding have an increased need for vitamin C. A natural food source is often the first choice of healthcare providers who work according to orthomolecular principles during these periods. 

 

People supplementing collagen get more benefit from their collagen when they combine it with vitamin C, because vitamin C is necessary for the structure and stability of collagen. A natural matrix with bioflavonoids supports this process better than an isolated dose. 

 

People who smoke or regularly drink alcohol have a significantly increased need for vitamin C, because both substances accelerate the breakdown of vitamin C in the body. For them, a reliable daily source is not a luxury.

 

Athletes and people who do physically demanding work use more vitamin C due to increased oxidative stress in the body. A high daily supply supports recovery and limits damage caused by exertion. 

But doesn't a high dosage make sense? 

A common thought is: the more vitamin C, the better. That is partly true, but the reality is more nuanced. The body can only absorb so much at a time. The absorption of vitamin C occurs through transporters that become saturated at higher doses. Above that threshold, most of it is simply excreted through urine. 

 

This means that a capsule with 1,000 milligrams of synthetic ascorbic acid does not necessarily do more than a lower dose in a natural matrix. What does matter is how long the vitamin C remains available in the body and how well the accompanying cofactors work. In that regard, the whole food form almost always wins. 

 

In acute situations, for example in severe illness or specific medical protocols, higher doses of synthetic ascorbic acid can be temporarily useful. But for daily, structural support of your health, a natural food source is the more logical choice. Not only because of the cofactors, but also because the body then receives the vitamin C in the same form it has processed for thousands of generations. 

wwk_logo_sm-64x64 Created with Sketch.
wwk_logo_sm-64x64 Created with Sketch.
wwk_logo_sm-64x64 Created with Sketch.
wwk_logo_sm-64x64 Created with Sketch.
wwk_logo_sm-64x64 Created with Sketch.

rated 9.9 by 750+ customers

What are you waiting for?
Discover the power of nature today!

Discover the power of nature today!

Back to the source 

An orange, a bell pepper, a handful of berries. For thousands of years, that was how people got their vitamin C. Not in milligram doses, not in isolated form, but as part of a whole fruit or vegetable. The body is adapted to this. It recognizes the matrix, knows what to do with it, and extracts what it needs. 

 

Synthetic ascorbic acid from corn syrup is a different story nutritionally. It can be useful in certain circumstances, but for daily, structural support of a healthy body, a natural food source makes more sense. Not because synthetic is inherently bad, but because the natural form better matches how your body is built. 

 

Our camu camu capsules are a way to make that natural food source available daily, without having to travel to the Amazon or chew sour berries. Not as a replacement for a varied diet, but as a way to fill a gap that has arisen in many modern diets. 

Camu Camu reviews

For me, the number 1 vitamin C!

Camu Camu has truly been a discovery for me. Camu Camu is known for its high natural vitamin C content. I feel more energetic and notice that my immune system is better supported. Since I don’t really like loose supplements and pills, I trust Real Roots. It feels good that this product is simply real food and not artificially composed.

Rick H.

Verified Real Roots User

Ready for autumn with, among other things, vitamin C from Camu Camu.

We still have red sun-kissed cheeks, but with autumn approaching, I want to have vitamin C at home, among other things. Camu Camu is the highest natural source, bitter in taste, so I am very happy that Gino puts it in capsules!

Esther @.

Verified Real Roots User

Energy

Since I started taking Canu Canu combined with magnesium and organ mix, I feel a clear increase in energy. I get out of bed more easily at 5:30 AM and fall asleep better thanks to the magnesium in the most absorbable form.

Body, M.&.O.

Verified Real Roots User

Works really great

Less colds, my 8-year-old son also takes 2 capsules a day and strengthens his immune system.

Linda J.

Verified Real Roots User

Freeze-dried immediately after harvest for maximum preservation of vitamin C  

100% organic camu camu from the Peruvian rainforest, pesticide-free 

62 mg natural vitamin C per 2 capsules (85% NRV) 

Complete with bioflavonoids, amino acids, and minerals 

Deliberately non-standardized with extra synthetic ascorbic acid 

From 0.47 euros per day when using 2 capsules 

Discover Camu Camu

30-day money-back guarantee

Frequently Asked Questions

We have compiled the most frequently asked questions about oysters for you!

Is synthetic ascorbic acid harmful? 

No, synthetic ascorbic acid is not harmful in normal doses. But it is also not the same as vitamin C from a whole food source. It lacks the bioflavonoids, polyphenols, and other cofactors naturally present in a fruit or berry that support the function and absorption of vitamin C. For regular daily use, a natural food source makes more sense. 

How much vitamin C do I need daily?

The official recommended daily amount in the Netherlands is around 75 milligrams. For most adults, this is sufficient to prevent scurvy. For optimal health and increased needs (pregnancy, illness, sports, stress, smoking), the actual requirement is often higher. With our camu camu capsules, you are well within the recommended dosage that the body can effectively process. 

What is the difference between ester-C, liposomal vitamin C, and camu camu?

Ester-C and liposomal vitamin C are both still synthetic ascorbic acid, just in a different chemical form or packaging to improve absorption. They are attempts to mimic the natural story of a food source. Camu camu is not a modified synthetic vitamin C; it is the whole fruit in powder form. The natural matrix is something no laboratory has yet been able to fully reproduce. 

Can I combine camu camu with other Real Roots products? 

Certainly. Camu camu combines excellently with the collagen products (vitamin C is essential for collagen production), with the oyster capsules (enhances the antioxidant effect of zinc and copper), and with the liver capsules (vitamin C supports the absorption of iron from liver). Many users also take it together with the organ mix as a broad daily supplement. 

Is camu camu safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Yes, camu camu is a whole food source and not a concentrated extract. When used according to the recommended dosage, it fits within a safe vitamin C intake during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As always, it is wise to consult a doctor or midwife if in doubt or when using medication. 

Does camu camu taste sour?

The fresh berry is extremely sour, but you don’t taste that in capsule form. The capsule dissolves in the stomach, where the sourness doesn’t matter. Those who prefer to use powder in smoothies or yogurt will notice the sour taste, but in our capsules, that’s not an issue. 

Can I get too much of it?

Vitamin C is water-soluble, which means the body excretes excess amounts through urine. The risk of toxicity is therefore very low. At extremely high doses of synthetic ascorbic acid, some people may experience digestive issues or kidney stones. This does not occur with camu camu at normal dosages.