Looking for high-potency immune support without hard-to-swallow capsules or stomach burn? Solaray Vitamin C-500 Chewable Orange pairs pure ascorbic acid with naturally buffered calcium ascorbate. Infused with sun-ripened orange juice concentrate, real honey, acerola cherry, and rose hips, each tablet delivers 500 mg of whole-food-enhanced antioxidant power in a delicious, easy-to-chew daily treat.
✔ Non-Acidic, Buffered on Digestion
✔ Rose Hips & Acerola Bioflavonoids
✔ Fast-Absorbing Chewable Delivery
✔ Lab-Verified Identity & Potency
Why Chewable Buffered Vitamin C Makes a Difference
Many ordinary chewable vitamin C tablets rely entirely on raw, unbuffered ascorbic acid. While ascorbic acid is the exact biochemical form of vitamin C your body uses, its natural acidity (pH around 2.5) can irritate delicate stomach linings, trigger acid reflux, or leave a sharp, sour aftertaste.
Solaray solves this by creating a buffered duo: ascorbic acid balanced with non-acidic calcium ascorbate. When ascorbic acid is bound to calcium, it neutralizes excess stomach acid while retaining 100% of its biological activity. Clinical evaluations show that mineral ascorbates substantially reduce common digestive complaints like cramping, nausea, and loose stools, making this 500 mg chewable a reliable choice for sensitive digestive tracts (Johnston & Cortez, 1994).
The Whole-Food Bioflavonoid Advantage
In nature, vitamin C never appears in isolation. An orange or wild rose hip packages vitamin C alongside plant pigments called citrus bioflavonoids, rutin, and hesperidin. Solaray replicates this natural balance by adding 20 mg of Citrus Bioflavonoid Concentrate, 15 mg of Acerola Cherry juice powder, and 15 mg of Rose Hips. Peer-reviewed research demonstrates that citrus bioflavonoids slow the rate of elimination and enhance the uptake of vitamin C in human tissues by up to 35% compared to synthetic ascorbic acid alone (Vinson & Bose, 1988).
Scientifically Supported Health Benefits
1. Innate & Adaptive Immune Defense
Vitamin C accumulates in immune cells (such as white blood cells and neutrophils) at concentrations up to 80 times higher than in blood plasma. It powers chemotaxis (cellular movement toward invaders), enhances microbial engulfment, and shields your own tissue from the collateral free-radical damage of immune responses (Carr & Maggini, 2017). Regular supplementation helps maintain respiratory wellness and reduces physical recovery time during seasonal challenges.
2. Collagen Synthesis & Skin Resilience
Collagen is the primary architectural protein holding your skin, cartilage, joints, gums, and blood vessels together. Your body cannot knit amino acids into sturdy triple-helix collagen fibers without vitamin C functioning as an essential cofactor for prolyl and lysyl hydroxylase enzymes. Maintaining steady vitamin C levels promotes firm skin texture, capillary integrity, and efficient tissue repair (Pullar et al., 2017).
3. Broad-Spectrum Antioxidant Protection
Metabolism, airborne pollution, UV rays, and physical exercise create reactive oxygen species (free radicals) that damage cellular DNA and lipids. Vitamin C donates electrons to neutralize these free radicals without becoming harmful itself. Furthermore, it actively regenerates oxidized vitamin E back into its active protective state, establishing an unbroken antioxidant barrier across water-soluble and fat-soluble tissues.
4. Enhanced Non-Heme Iron Absorption
Plant-based non-heme iron from foods like spinach, lentils, and fortified grains is notoriously difficult for the gastrointestinal tract to absorb. Taking vitamin C concurrently converts ferric iron into a soluble ferrous form, dramatically increasing dietary iron uptake to support healthy hemoglobin levels and combat daily fatigue.
How to Take, Best Practices & Important Safety Information
Suggested Use:
Chew one (1) tablet daily, preferably with a morning or midday meal. Chewing slowly allows the pleasant, natural tangerine and orange notes to come through without the chalky mouthfeel common in lesser formulas.
Dentist-Recommended Enamel Tip:
Because all chewable vitamin C supplements contain fruit acids and wholesome carbohydrates, we recommend taking a brief sip of fresh water and swishing your mouth after chewing. This simple 5-second habit clears any residual fruit sugars and protects tooth enamel.
Product Safety Warnings:
Do not feed to children under 1 year of age: This formula contains natural honey, which should never be given to infants under 12 months.
Keep out of reach of children. Do not use if the tamper-evident safety seal is broken or missing.
Consult your physician prior to use if you have a history of calcium oxalate kidney stones, hemochromatosis (iron overload), or if you are pregnant or nursing.
Serving Size: 1 Chewable Tablet | Servings Per Container: 100
Amount Per Serving
Amount
% Daily Value
Calories
10
*
Total Carbohydrate
2 g
<1%†
Total Sugars
2 g
*
Vitamin C (as Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Ascorbate)
485 mg
539%
Calcium (from Calcium Ascorbate)
16 mg
1%
Acerola Cherry (juice powder)
15 mg
*
Rose Hips (Rosa canina) (fruit)
15 mg
*
Bioflavonoid Concentrate (from Citrus fruit)
20 mg
*
† Percent Daily Values (% DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
* Daily Value not established.
Other Ingredients:
Fructose, Molasses, Orange Juice Concentrate, Natural Tangerine Flavor with other Natural Flavors, Honey, Silica, Stearic Acid, Maltodextrin, Sodium Citrate, and Cellulose.
Purity Standard: Solaray enforces strict laboratory verification. Every batch is rigorously screened in state-of-the-art facilities for identity, potency, microbials, heavy metals, and adulterants to ensure uncompromising safety.
Verified Scientific Citations & Clinical Literature
Carr AC, Maggini S. Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients. 2017;9(11):1211. doi:10.3390/nu9111211. [Peer-Reviewed validation of white blood cell accumulation, chemotaxis, and epithelial barrier support].
Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Nutrients. 2017;9(8):866. doi:10.3390/nu980866. [Biochemical proof of prolyl and lysyl hydroxylase activation in human collagen synthesis].
Vinson JA, Bose P. Comparative bioavailability to humans of ascorbic acids alone or in a citrus extract. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1988;48(3):601-604. doi:10.1093/ajcn/48.3.601. [Clinical demonstration of a 35% increase in human ascorbate absorption when paired with bioflavonoids].
Hemilä H, Chalker E. Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2013;(1):CD000980. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000980.pub4. [Meta-analysis confirming consistent reduction in duration and severity of physical stress-induced immune challenges].
Johnston CS, Cortez BL. Evaluation of the gastrointestinal tolerance of calcium ascorbate. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 1994;94(8):899-900. [Clinical verification that calcium-buffered ascorbate significantly reduces gastric irritation compared to plain ascorbic acid].
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What makes Solaray Vitamin C-500 Chewable better than swallowable pills?
Chewable tablets are ideal for anyone experiencing pill fatigue or difficulty swallowing large 500 mg or 1000 mg horse pills. Furthermore, chewing breaks down the nutrients into fine particles before they reach your stomach, initiating smooth, rapid dissolution without waiting for hard-compressed caplets or shell capsules to disintegrate.
Why is this formula called "buffered," and how does it prevent stomach upset?
Pure ascorbic acid has a naturally sharp, acidic pH that can cause acid indigestion or heartburn in sensitive individuals. Solaray balances pure ascorbic acid with non-acidic calcium ascorbate. This mineral buffer raises the pH closer to neutral, shielding your gastric lining from irritation while providing 16 mg of elemental calcium per serving.
Why are Acerola Cherry, Rose Hips, and Citrus Bioflavonoids included?
These natural botanical additions mimic the way vitamin C exists in fresh, whole fruits. Clinical studies show that citrus bioflavonoids work synergistically with vitamin C to slow renal excretion, protect the vitamin molecule from premature oxidation, and improve overall cellular uptake by up to 35%.
Can I give these chewables to my children?
This product is formulated for adults and older children who can safely chew and swallow solid tablets. However, it should never be given to infants under 1 year of age because it contains natural honey. For older children, consult your pediatrician regarding appropriate daily milligram allowances, as 500 mg exceeds standard pediatric RDAs.
Does chewing vitamin C harm tooth enamel?
Any chewable vitamin containing fruit concentrates and ascorbic acid carries mild acidity and natural sugars. To protect your teeth, simply take a quick sip of water and swish your mouth after chewing, or take your daily chewable right before a main meal.
What is the best time of day to take Vitamin C 500 mg?
Vitamin C is water-soluble and best absorbed when taken in the morning or early afternoon with a meal. Taking it with breakfast or lunch also helps enhance the absorption of non-heme iron from your meal while maintaining energetic, steady immune defense throughout your active daytime hours.
Helpful Customer Reviews
Review of Vitamin C-500 Chewable Orange - Solaray Product 44905 Reviewed by archangelmatrix
Wednesday, May 11, 2011 Rating: 5/5
Chewable Vitamin C by Solaray is a superior vitamin C product. Everyone needs their daily dose of vitamin C, and chewable orange-flavored vitamin C is convenient and tasty to eat. You get your daily recommended dosage in an easy to use form. Get your Chewable orange flavored Vitamin C by Solaray today!