Ester-C® is Calcium Ascorbate-Threonate, a unique, exclusive form of vitamin C. It is made using a proprietary, water-based manufacturing process that results in a pH neutral product containing naturally occurring vitamin C metabolites. These metabolites, such as threonate, provide quick absorption and better retention in cells. Ester-C® is buffered with calcium to neutralize its pH, making it stomach friendly and therefore resulting in significantly fewer adverse effects and stomach complaints compared with standard ascorbic acid. Scientific research is available by visiting our dedicated Ester-C® product page.
Market Trends for Ester-C®
Looking at the trends for this branded ingredient over the last 5 years in the Food Supplement, Sports Nutrition and Pet Food Industries Worldwide, we can see that more and more brands are looking into developing a finished product formula containing Ester-C® with a 300% growth in product launches in 2016 compared to 2012. Ester-C® is primarily used in stand-alone vitamin products or in combination with other vitamins and minerals. It is also used in sports powders and sport supplements, food supplements with glucosamine, antioxidant formulas or in special finished food supplement products for women and pet food.
The top positioning categories where this branded ingredient has been used globally are immune health, health/wellness and joint & bone health, followed by energy & stamina and brain-mood health. During our search, we could also see Ester-C® in several multi-vitamin brands aimed at children, some of them in interesting delivery forms (gummies, candies, soluble sachets). Regarding Europe, over the last 5 years, approximately 60% of the products containing the Ester-C® brand were vitamin and/or mineral food supplements and 23% were sports powders and sports supplements. 31% of the products containing Ester-C® are aimed at immune health, 30% at health and wellness, 26% at joint and bone health, with the remaining products focusing primarily on energy and stamina. (Source: product launches- Innova Market Insights).
