Can mineral ascorbates be compared to vitamin C?
Mineral ascorbates are ascorbic acid which has been altered to have a mineral salt attached to it.
Mineral ascorbates may be found on the ingredients list of your favourite cosmetic or nutraceutical products while on the front it advertises the addition of vitamin C.
At my last count, there were eight mineral ascorbates available: sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, molybdenum, chromium and magnesium. None of these resembles natural vitamin C.
The only reason I can find why these are synthetically produced is to counteract the very low PH of ascorbic acid, as these ascorbates have a PH range of 7-8 meaning they are slightly alkaline.
Mineral ascorbates are powders manufactured by reacting synthetic ascorbic acid with mineral carbonates in a aqueous solutions. Carbon dioxide is given off and vented then drying of the reaction occurs. Finally, the product is milled to a desired particle size.
Mineral ascorbates cannot be compared to the activity of vitamin C as they are structurally completely different.
