vitamin C: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Oct. 22, 2026

News •

Scientists discover a surprising link between vitamin C and cancer survival • Oct. 20, 2026, 12:23 AM ET (Science Daily)

Facts

Also Known As	ascorbic acid • hexuronic acid • cevitamic acid

Photos and Videos

Assorted citrus fruits including whole and halved oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes arranged closely together.

Why are chives considered a treasure chest of vitamins?

Natural vs. synthetic vitamins: Is there a difference?

Health benefits of oranges

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

human nutrition scurvy vitamin C excess vitamin vitamin B complex vitamin D vitamin A vitamin K vitamin E Choline Carnitine para-aminobenzoic acid

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

nutritional disease: Vitamin C

Key People

Linus Pauling

Linus Pauling

American scientist

Albert Szent-Györgyi.

Albert Szent-Györgyi

Hungarian biochemist

Norman Haworth, c. 1920.

Sir Norman Haworth

British chemist