Fizzy vitamin C tablets ‘contain more salt than TWO PACKETS of ready salted crisps’

Big brand fizzy vitamin C tablets contain more salt than two packets of Walkers Ready Salted crisps, according to research.

The tablets are added to water and claim to offer a healthy start to the day.

However, researchers found that several of these products are packed with sodium, which is found in salt.

Supplements company Healthspan carried out the research into a number of fizzy vitamin C tablets as it launched its own sodium-free equivalent.

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Salt, or sodium chloride, is a compound made up of sodium chlorine, and adults should consume no more than 2.4g sodium per day, which is equivalent to 6g salt.

Healthspan examined seven supermarket and big brand fizzy vitamin C products.

The worst culprit was Waitrose blackcurrant flavoured vitamin C effervescent, which contained 1,002 milligrams of sodium, the equivalent of 2.2 packets of ready salted crisps – or 17% of the maximum recommended daily amount of sodium for an adult.

A standard size packet of Walkers Ready Salted crisps contains 460mg of salt.

Boots blackcurrant flavoured vitamin C effervescent contained 965mg of salt – the equivalent of 2.1 packets of crisps.

A vitamin C tablet product from Berroca had 718mg of salt equivalent, or 1.6 packets of crisps.

Rob Hobson, head of nutrition at Healthspan, said: “Each of these products contain a startling amount of sodium – particularly concerning if you are older or suffer from high blood pressure.”

Medical nutritionist Dr Sarah Brewer said: “While a vitamin C effervescent is a popular way to consume high doses of vitamin C to boost immunity, the level of sodium almost outweighs the benefits.

“Too much salt will raise your blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease, stroke and heart attack.”

In a statement, Berocca said: “Comparing Berocca to a packet of crisps fails to take into account the many nutritional benefits a vitamin tablet offers.

“Berocca is packed with energy-releasing vitamins and minerals.”

In a statement, Boots said: “Our packaging states that the products contain sodium.

“We would always advise customers to read the instructions carefully and not to take more than the recommended number of tablets daily.”