Get up and go in tablet form! (Berocca)

Member Name: bozzy120

Product:	Berocca
Date:	13/01/09 (591 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Packed full of essential vits/mins, more alert/awake and generally feel better

Disadvantages: Bright orange wee (due to the B Vitamins!) and quite expensive

Berocca is a multivitamin and mineral supplement that can be taken every day. Packed with B vitamins, vitamin C, and essential minerals, it is designed to help your body release energy from food and support a healthy immune system. Its unique high-dose formulation can help support concentration and alertness making it a healthy alternative to caffeine and artificial stimulants. It comes in two different forms; Effervescent tablets dissolvable in water in orange and tropical flavours and film coated tablets. I have only tried effervescent version in orange so the review is only about these.

The tablets come in a handy tube of 15 tablets. The tablets are roughly the size of a 2 pence piece.

I have used Berocca for about 18 months and take it daily when I'm at work (5 days per week). Just drop the tablet into a glass of water and it is best taken first thing in the morning to make the most of the day ahead. I make a glass up as soon as I arrive at work along with my morning coffee.

The taste is a little peculiar, not incredibly tasty but then not revolting. I think back to when I first tried, I couldn't swallow it down quick enough but I'm now slightly more acquired to the taste and can easily sip away without any problems!

Vitamin breakdown per tablet;
Vitamin Per tablet RDA
Vitamin C 476 mg 793
Thiamin (Vitamin B1) 10.4 mg 743
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 13.6 mg 850
Niacin (Vitamin B3) 45.3 mg 252
Vitamin B6 7.1 mg 355
Vitamin B12 8.6 μg 860
Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) 22.7 mg 378
Biotin 130 μg 87
Folacin (folic acid) 366 μg 183
Calcium 95 mg 12
Magnesium 95 mg 32
Zinc 9 mg 60

The RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) of vitamins is an EU-recommended allowance to prevent deficiency. Some supplements contain levels of vitamins and minerals above the RDA. This is because, for some nutrients, intakes above the RDA are safe and may be associated with particular benefits.I had wondered if the vitamins well over the RDA could possibly be harmful but all levels are below the Upper Safe Levels.

As to whether it actually works would obviously be debatable but for me, I definitely wouldn't be without it. I used to suffer with general colds and coughs a number of times through the year despite eating a balanced diet and generally being a fairly fit person. Since starting to take Berocca at least 5 times per week, I generally feel a lot better and my susceptibility to illness's has dramatically reduced (avg of 1 per year as apposed to 6!)

Berocca is sold in all major supermarkets and pharmacies. It retails at approximately £3.90 for 15 x effervescent tablets and £7.55 for 30 film coated tablets. This is on the expensive side but for me, £3.90 every 3 weeks is worth every penny when I feel great for the majority of the year!

Summary: Tailored vitamins and minerals for hectic lifestyles