| Product: |
Redoxon Double Action Vitamin C + Zinc Effervescent |
| Date: |
03.02.06 (938 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: two nutrients in one tablet, adds flavour to your water
Disadvantages: artificial taste, aftertaste
I am always in a rush in the morning, so I never get to make myself a cup of tea. And I do not really want to gulp down a glass of boring water. Juice, I have read, has so many calories that it does more bad than good to your body. What to do when faced with such a dilemma? Well, there is always the option of the soluble vitamin pill. I never actually find the one brand that I am used to on the shelf – so I have had to try a variety of different brands. One of my favorites is Redoxon Double Action with Vitamin C and Zinc.
***The product***
You can either buy a box containing one tube with 15 soluble tablets or you can buy a box containing two tubes with 15 soluble tablets each. The box comes in various tones of red and orange and the word “Redoxon” is written on the box sideways. Below the logo you are told that your tablets contain Vitamin C and Zinc which “help support your immune system”. On the back of the box, and indeed on the round tube, you are informed that each tablet contains 1000 mg of Vitamin C and 10 mg of Zinc. This represents 1667% of your recommended daily Vitamin C intake and 67% of your daily recommended Zinc intake.
The tubes are sealed with a white cap. To open the cap the first time, you first have to tear off the protective strip. The cap pops off very easily and is also easily sealed.
The recommended daily dosage for adults is one tablet dissolved in a glass of water. Children between the ages of 6-12 should take half a tablet a day, unless otherwise directed by a doctor. It is warned that excessive consumption may produce laxative effects.
***Price and Availability***
I bought my tablets at Boots, but they are also available at Superdrug and from online pharmacies. I am not sure what they cost at Boots, but I saw the 30 tablet pack priced at £5 on the Internet and the 15 tablet pack at £3.
***My experience***
When I opened my first tube of tablets, I was immediately greeted by a very medical and artificial smell – with a slight hint of orange. I popped out one of the tablets, which was about the size of a pound coin and appeared to be of a pale orange, almost peach colour, with some darker orange freckles. I filled a glass of water and dropped the tablet into the glass. Immediately it began to make a fizzing sound. During the disolving process, the tablet floated on the top of my glass and started to produce little grains that floated on top of the glass and slowly sunk to the bottom. After about 2 minutes, which I found to be a little long, the tablet had completely disappeared.
When I lifted the glass to my mouth, I noticed that the smell of the drink had slightly changed. It now had a bit of an Orangina-type odor to it. However, when I tried it, it tasted nothing like Orangina. For one, the tablet does not produce a very fizzy drink. The vitamin brew does tingle on your tongue slightly, but it is nowhere near the effects of sparkling water or fanta. Secondly, the brew tastes very artificial. When you lick your lips afterwards, it tastes as if you had just eaten an entire bag of artificial sweetener! Thirdly, the orange taste is not very present, it is more of a sour mandarin flavour.
I did not find the taste very pleasant, but it also was not unbearable. In fact, if you drink it very quickly, it is hardly noticeable. Strangely enough, the further you get to the bottom of the glass, the better it tastes. And if you drink the brew on a daily basis, you will start getting used to its taste. The downside is that you will experience the artificial aftertaste lingering on your tongue for a little while – but this is nothing that a good toothbrush could not take care off.
I have never experienced any laxative side effects when taking the tablets as directed. However, I have noticed that I appear to get a rash on my face and on my neck if I take the product for prolonged periods of time (i.e. every day for one to two weeks in a row). On the other hand, I have found that I have gotten a lot less colds since I have been taking Vitamin C and Zinc on a regular basis.
***Comparison to other brands***
This is not the worst-tasting effervescent Vitamin C tablet on the market. It tastes better than Sainsbury’s version of it, but I do definitely prefer the Boots brand to Redoxon. The disadvantage is, of course, that these two brands do not contain any zinc – but by comparison, they do tend to be about £1- £1.50 cheaper than the Redoxon brand. I often find, however, that the “house brands” are sold out when I am in need to replenish my supplies.
***The verdict***
On the whole, I would recommend these vitamin tablets if you are a fan of the soluble version. You get two vital nutrients in one tablet, they do not have many side effects and the taste is bearable. In addition, it is a practical little tube you can carry around everywhere – and you can use the tablets to give boring water some nutritious flavouring (and to bolster your immune system after a long train journey). If you do have a very sensitive stomach or taste buds, however, you may be better off swallowing or chewing a tablet.
***Further info***
Roche Products Ltd
40 Broadwater Road
Welwyn Garden City
Herts AL7 3AY
United Kingdom
Summary: A convenient way to get two nutrients into one glass and to flavour your water.
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