I have used Emergen-C vitamin drink mixes for a number of years.  I drink it every winter when cold season starts and as I see my friends and family getting sick.  I also drink it when I am traveling and exposed to lots of strange germs or whenever I am pushing my body to the limit and in need of an extra boost.  I have tried a few of the many flavors of Emergen-C and found the Pink Lemonade to be my favorite.

What is it?

Emergen-C, distributed by Alacer Corp., is a little packet of vitamin powder that you add to water.  When added to the water it makes a flavored drink that is full of vitamins.  As the name indicates the main vitamin in these drinks is Vitamin C and it contains 1,000 mg of the vitamin.  This is over 1600% of the recommended daily value.  The Emergen-C name would suggest you take this vitamin C boost in the event of emergency when you're feeling sick.  But the directions indicate you should take two to four packets a day!  I've never exceeded two packets a day.  

In addition to vitamin C Emergen-C contains many other vitamins as well.  Each flavor has it's own special vitamin mix.  The Pink Lemonade mix boasts "24 Nutrients with antioxidants, electrolytes and 7 B Vitamins."  The nutrient information is as follows:

Calories 25
Pantothenic Acid (as calcium pantothenate) 2.50 g
Sugars 6 g
Total Carbohydrate 6 g
Chromium (as Chromium Ascorbate) 10 mcg
Folic Acid 12.50 mcg
Vitamin B12 (as Cyanocobalamin) 25 mcg
Alpha Lipoic Acid 1 mg
Calcium (as Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Phosphate, and Calcium Pantothenate) 50 mg
Magnesium (as magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate) 60 mg
manganese (as manganese gluconate) 0.50 mg
Niacin 5 mg
Phosphorus (as potassium phosphate, calcium phosphate, and sodium phosphate) 38 mg
Potassium (as Potassium Bicarbonate, Potassium Carbonate and Potassium Phosphate) 200 mg
Quercetin 1 mg
Riboflavin (as Riboflavin 5'-Phosphate Sodium) 343 mg
Sodium (as Sodium Bicarbonate and Sodium Phosphate) 60 mg
Thiamin (as Thiamine Hydrochloride) 0.38 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) 10 mg
Vitamin C (as Ascorbic Acid, Zinc Ascorbate, and Chromium Ascorbate) 1000 mg
Zinc (as Zinc Ascorbate) 2 m


How does it taste?

I would say the Emergen-C Pink Lemonade tastes pretty good.  Remember, these are vitamins and vitamins on their own don't taste good.  However, compared to the other Emergen-C flavors I would say the Pink Lemonade is the most palatable.  I have found this particular mix seems to mix best with the water.  Some of the other flavors don't quite dissolve all the way and leave a powdery aftertaste.  The powder taste is barely there in the pink lemonade.  

I have some tips to make it easier too drink.  First of all I would try and drink it all right away, within 20 minutes of mixing.  After a bit of time the vitamins begin to react with the water and will start to taste, well, like vitamins.  I also think it tastes best in fresh cold water, not room temperature water.  The other option is to put it in hot water (not quite boiling) and drink it like tea.  This can be soothing if you already have a sore throat.  It also is a decent mixer with vodka!

One noteworthy point is that Emergen-C contains a small amount of fructose for sweetener.  I picked up a generic brand at one point on sale and it contained aspartame, which tasted way too sweet for me. 

Does it work?

I think Emergen-C works great.  I always take it if I am starting to feel a scratchy throat or am around other people who are sick.  The majority of the time I do not get sick.  Even when my family is sick in my house I have managed to ward off colds by taking Emergen-C.  

Beyond keeping away a cold or flu, Emergen-C is also a decent hangover cure.  Since it has electrolytes and B vitamins I find it is better than water for re-hydrating and energizing you after a rough night.  Likewise, I find the B vitamins a good afternoon energy boost on those days when you don't think you can make it to 5 o'clock.  

Conclusion

I am a big fan of Emergen-C and will continue to drink it when the need arises.  I like it so much that I just purchased 3 boxes (30 packets to a box) to stock up for the winter and try and avoid H1N1.  I personally do not have a problem with the taste, although I know some people who do.  To me the benefits far out weigh the taste.

Recommended: Yes