Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Airborne?What Is Emergen-C?Comparing the TwoIngredient EffectivenessSafetySpecial ConsiderationsTips to Stay Healthy
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Airborne?
What Is Emergen-C?
Comparing the Two
Ingredient Effectiveness
Safety
Special Considerations
Tips to Stay Healthy
Airborne and Emergen-C are popular immune support supplements marketed as immune system boosters. They comprise 10% of all dietary supplement sales in the United States.
These products share common goals: to support immune health and prevent or shorten the duration of colds. When considering Airborne vs Emergen-C, several key factors must be considered.
Bloomberg / Contributor / Getty Images
Airborneis a line of dietary supplements that combine antioxidants, minerals, and herbs that mayboost immunity(the body’s ability to fight infections).
Here’s what you need to know about Airborne:
Like Airborne, Emergen-C is a dietary supplement that contains multiple ingredients that may help support theimmune system.
Here’s what you need to know about Emergen-C:
Comparing Airborne vs Emergen-C
While Airborne and Emergen-C are both advertised as immune system boosters, some crucial nuances set them apart.
One key difference between these products is the specific combination of ingredients, forms of vitamins and minerals, sugar content, and more. When examining the ingredients, both supplements featurehigh-dose vitamin C, each containing 1000 milligrams per serving.However, Emergen-C has almost double the amount ofadded sugarscompared to Airborne, an essential consideration for those monitoring their sugar intake, including people with diabetes.
Another distinction is the inclusion ofherbs; Airborne incorporates herbs, whereas Emergen-C does not.In terms ofminerals, Emergen-C and Airborne contain different types. Airborne featuresmagnesiumin the forms of magnesium oxide and magnesium sulfate, while Emergen-C uses magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate. Additionally, Emergen-C containsB vitamins, while Airborne does not.On the other hand, Airborne includesfat-soluble vitamins A and E, which are absent in Emergen-C.
Furthermore, Airborne lists bothnatural and artificial flavors, while Emergen-C only uses natural flavors. Both products containsilicon dioxide, a common supplement ingredient to prevent caking.
Looking at other details, both products are available as chewable tablets and gummies.Airborne also offerseffervescenttablets that dissolve in water, while Emergen-C comes in powder packets that mix with water and crystals that dissolve in the mouth.
It’s important to note that neither product has been proven effective in clinical trials, which suggests that more research is needed to assess the effects of each supplement and how they compare.
The following overview highlights the critical distinctions between Airborne vs Emergen-C.
How Effective Are the Ingredients?
Here’s what the research says about some of the active ingredients found in Airborne and/or Emergen-C:
How Combining Vitamin C and Zinc Can Supercharge Your Immune System
Are Airborne and Emergen-C Safe for Me?
If you take either Airborne or Emergen-C, keep the following considerations in mind:
In addition to the above precautions, specific considerations for these supplements include:
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it does for prescription medications. This means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN or RD), or pharmacist.
What Else Can I Do to Keep Myself Healthy?
Consider these practical tips to keep yourself healthy during cold and flu season or after being exposed to someone who is sick:
Summary
Airborne and Emergen-C are popular supplements that are marketed for immune system support. Their original formulas both contain high doses of vitamin C. In the case of Airborne, they also include other ingredients like additional vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
The bottom line is that while Airborne or Emergen-C may provide some benefit in preventing or treating colds or boosting the immune system, they have not been proven effective in clinical trials. There’s insufficient data to know which one may be more helpful for you.
Because there are so many ingredients in these products, discuss taking them with your healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or nursing. Also, ask your healthcare provider if these are good choices for you if you take other medicines, including over-the-counter products or other supplements.
23 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Crawford C, Brown LL, Costello RB, et al.Select dietary supplement ingredients for preserving and protecting the immune system in healthy individuals: A systematic review.Nutrients. 2022;14(21):4604. Published 2022 Nov 1. doi:10.3390/nu14214604National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplement Label Database.Airborne Original Citrus.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplement Label Database.Airborne Original Very Berry.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplement Label Database.Airborne Original Assorted Fruit Flavors.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplement Label Database.Emergen-C 1,000 mg Vitamin C Super Orange.Emergen-C.Products.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CFR - code of federal regulations title 21.Hemilä H, Chalker E.Vitamin C reduces the severity of common colds: a meta-analysis.BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):2468. Published 2023 Dec 11. doi:10.1186/s12889-023-17229-8Nault D, Machingo TA, Shipper AG, et al.Zinc for prevention and treatment of the common cold.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2024;5(5):CD014914. Published 2024 May 9. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD014914.pub2National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Dietary Supplements for Immune Function and Infectious Diseases.Munteanu C, Schwartz B.B vtamins, glucoronolactone and the immune system: Bioavailability, doses and efficiency.Nutrients. 2023;16(1):24. Published 2023 Dec 20. doi:10.3390/nu16010024National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin C.Miller LG.Herbal medicinals: selected clinical considerations focusing on known or potential drug-herb interactions.Arch Intern Med. 1998;158(20):2200-2211. doi:10.1001/archinte.158.20.2200Izzo AA, Ernst E.Interactions between herbal medicines and prescribed drugs: an updated systematic review.Drugs. 2009;69(13):1777-1798. doi:10.2165/11317010-000000000-00000National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin B6.Xun Y, Shi Q, Yang N, et al.Associations of hand washing frequency with the incidence of illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Ann Transl Med. 2021;9(5):395. doi:10.21037/atm-20-6005Laupèze B, Del Giudice G, Doherty MT, et al.Vaccination as a preventative measure contributing to immune fitness.NPJ Vaccines. 2021;6(1):93. Published 2021 Jul 27. doi:10.1038/s41541-021-00354-zCenters for DIsease Control and Prevention.Immunization Schedules.Calder PC.Foods to deliver immune-supporting nutrients.Curr Opin Food Sci. 2022;43:136-145. doi:10.1016/j.cofs.2021.12.006Davison G, Kehaya C, Wyn Jones A.Nutritional and physical activity interventions to improve immunity.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2014;10(3):152-169. Published 2014 Nov 25. doi:10.1177/1559827614557773Simpson RJ, Kunz H, Agha N, et al.Exercise and the regulation of immune functions.Prog Mol Biol Transl Sci. 2015;135:355-380. doi:10.1016/bs.pmbts.2015.08.001Monye I, Adelowo AB.Strengthening immunity through healthy lifestyle practices: Recommendations for lifestyle interventions in the management of COVID-19.Lifestyle Med (Hoboken). 2020;1(1):e7. doi:10.1002/lim2.7Smyth N, Rossi E, Wood C.Effectiveness of stress-relieving strategies in regulating patterns of cortisol secretion and promoting brain health.Int Rev Neurobiol. 2020;150:219-246. doi:10.1016/bs.irn.2020.01.003
23 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Crawford C, Brown LL, Costello RB, et al.Select dietary supplement ingredients for preserving and protecting the immune system in healthy individuals: A systematic review.Nutrients. 2022;14(21):4604. Published 2022 Nov 1. doi:10.3390/nu14214604National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplement Label Database.Airborne Original Citrus.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplement Label Database.Airborne Original Very Berry.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplement Label Database.Airborne Original Assorted Fruit Flavors.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplement Label Database.Emergen-C 1,000 mg Vitamin C Super Orange.Emergen-C.Products.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CFR - code of federal regulations title 21.Hemilä H, Chalker E.Vitamin C reduces the severity of common colds: a meta-analysis.BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):2468. Published 2023 Dec 11. doi:10.1186/s12889-023-17229-8Nault D, Machingo TA, Shipper AG, et al.Zinc for prevention and treatment of the common cold.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2024;5(5):CD014914. Published 2024 May 9. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD014914.pub2National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Dietary Supplements for Immune Function and Infectious Diseases.Munteanu C, Schwartz B.B vtamins, glucoronolactone and the immune system: Bioavailability, doses and efficiency.Nutrients. 2023;16(1):24. Published 2023 Dec 20. doi:10.3390/nu16010024National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin C.Miller LG.Herbal medicinals: selected clinical considerations focusing on known or potential drug-herb interactions.Arch Intern Med. 1998;158(20):2200-2211. doi:10.1001/archinte.158.20.2200Izzo AA, Ernst E.Interactions between herbal medicines and prescribed drugs: an updated systematic review.Drugs. 2009;69(13):1777-1798. doi:10.2165/11317010-000000000-00000National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin B6.Xun Y, Shi Q, Yang N, et al.Associations of hand washing frequency with the incidence of illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Ann Transl Med. 2021;9(5):395. doi:10.21037/atm-20-6005Laupèze B, Del Giudice G, Doherty MT, et al.Vaccination as a preventative measure contributing to immune fitness.NPJ Vaccines. 2021;6(1):93. Published 2021 Jul 27. doi:10.1038/s41541-021-00354-zCenters for DIsease Control and Prevention.Immunization Schedules.Calder PC.Foods to deliver immune-supporting nutrients.Curr Opin Food Sci. 2022;43:136-145. doi:10.1016/j.cofs.2021.12.006Davison G, Kehaya C, Wyn Jones A.Nutritional and physical activity interventions to improve immunity.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2014;10(3):152-169. Published 2014 Nov 25. doi:10.1177/1559827614557773Simpson RJ, Kunz H, Agha N, et al.Exercise and the regulation of immune functions.Prog Mol Biol Transl Sci. 2015;135:355-380. doi:10.1016/bs.pmbts.2015.08.001Monye I, Adelowo AB.Strengthening immunity through healthy lifestyle practices: Recommendations for lifestyle interventions in the management of COVID-19.Lifestyle Med (Hoboken). 2020;1(1):e7. doi:10.1002/lim2.7Smyth N, Rossi E, Wood C.Effectiveness of stress-relieving strategies in regulating patterns of cortisol secretion and promoting brain health.Int Rev Neurobiol. 2020;150:219-246. doi:10.1016/bs.irn.2020.01.003
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Crawford C, Brown LL, Costello RB, et al.Select dietary supplement ingredients for preserving and protecting the immune system in healthy individuals: A systematic review.Nutrients. 2022;14(21):4604. Published 2022 Nov 1. doi:10.3390/nu14214604National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplement Label Database.Airborne Original Citrus.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplement Label Database.Airborne Original Very Berry.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplement Label Database.Airborne Original Assorted Fruit Flavors.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplement Label Database.Emergen-C 1,000 mg Vitamin C Super Orange.Emergen-C.Products.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CFR - code of federal regulations title 21.Hemilä H, Chalker E.Vitamin C reduces the severity of common colds: a meta-analysis.BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):2468. Published 2023 Dec 11. doi:10.1186/s12889-023-17229-8Nault D, Machingo TA, Shipper AG, et al.Zinc for prevention and treatment of the common cold.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2024;5(5):CD014914. Published 2024 May 9. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD014914.pub2National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Dietary Supplements for Immune Function and Infectious Diseases.Munteanu C, Schwartz B.B vtamins, glucoronolactone and the immune system: Bioavailability, doses and efficiency.Nutrients. 2023;16(1):24. Published 2023 Dec 20. doi:10.3390/nu16010024National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin C.Miller LG.Herbal medicinals: selected clinical considerations focusing on known or potential drug-herb interactions.Arch Intern Med. 1998;158(20):2200-2211. doi:10.1001/archinte.158.20.2200Izzo AA, Ernst E.Interactions between herbal medicines and prescribed drugs: an updated systematic review.Drugs. 2009;69(13):1777-1798. doi:10.2165/11317010-000000000-00000National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin B6.Xun Y, Shi Q, Yang N, et al.Associations of hand washing frequency with the incidence of illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Ann Transl Med. 2021;9(5):395. doi:10.21037/atm-20-6005Laupèze B, Del Giudice G, Doherty MT, et al.Vaccination as a preventative measure contributing to immune fitness.NPJ Vaccines. 2021;6(1):93. Published 2021 Jul 27. doi:10.1038/s41541-021-00354-zCenters for DIsease Control and Prevention.Immunization Schedules.Calder PC.Foods to deliver immune-supporting nutrients.Curr Opin Food Sci. 2022;43:136-145. doi:10.1016/j.cofs.2021.12.006Davison G, Kehaya C, Wyn Jones A.Nutritional and physical activity interventions to improve immunity.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2014;10(3):152-169. Published 2014 Nov 25. doi:10.1177/1559827614557773Simpson RJ, Kunz H, Agha N, et al.Exercise and the regulation of immune functions.Prog Mol Biol Transl Sci. 2015;135:355-380. doi:10.1016/bs.pmbts.2015.08.001Monye I, Adelowo AB.Strengthening immunity through healthy lifestyle practices: Recommendations for lifestyle interventions in the management of COVID-19.Lifestyle Med (Hoboken). 2020;1(1):e7. doi:10.1002/lim2.7Smyth N, Rossi E, Wood C.Effectiveness of stress-relieving strategies in regulating patterns of cortisol secretion and promoting brain health.Int Rev Neurobiol. 2020;150:219-246. doi:10.1016/bs.irn.2020.01.003
Crawford C, Brown LL, Costello RB, et al.Select dietary supplement ingredients for preserving and protecting the immune system in healthy individuals: A systematic review.Nutrients. 2022;14(21):4604. Published 2022 Nov 1. doi:10.3390/nu14214604
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplement Label Database.Airborne Original Citrus.
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplement Label Database.Airborne Original Very Berry.
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplement Label Database.Airborne Original Assorted Fruit Flavors.
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplement Label Database.Emergen-C 1,000 mg Vitamin C Super Orange.
Emergen-C.Products.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CFR - code of federal regulations title 21.
Hemilä H, Chalker E.Vitamin C reduces the severity of common colds: a meta-analysis.BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):2468. Published 2023 Dec 11. doi:10.1186/s12889-023-17229-8
Nault D, Machingo TA, Shipper AG, et al.Zinc for prevention and treatment of the common cold.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2024;5(5):CD014914. Published 2024 May 9. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD014914.pub2
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Dietary Supplements for Immune Function and Infectious Diseases.
Munteanu C, Schwartz B.B vtamins, glucoronolactone and the immune system: Bioavailability, doses and efficiency.Nutrients. 2023;16(1):24. Published 2023 Dec 20. doi:10.3390/nu16010024
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin C.
Miller LG.Herbal medicinals: selected clinical considerations focusing on known or potential drug-herb interactions.Arch Intern Med. 1998;158(20):2200-2211. doi:10.1001/archinte.158.20.2200
Izzo AA, Ernst E.Interactions between herbal medicines and prescribed drugs: an updated systematic review.Drugs. 2009;69(13):1777-1798. doi:10.2165/11317010-000000000-00000
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin B6.
Xun Y, Shi Q, Yang N, et al.Associations of hand washing frequency with the incidence of illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Ann Transl Med. 2021;9(5):395. doi:10.21037/atm-20-6005
Laupèze B, Del Giudice G, Doherty MT, et al.Vaccination as a preventative measure contributing to immune fitness.NPJ Vaccines. 2021;6(1):93. Published 2021 Jul 27. doi:10.1038/s41541-021-00354-z
Centers for DIsease Control and Prevention.Immunization Schedules.
Calder PC.Foods to deliver immune-supporting nutrients.Curr Opin Food Sci. 2022;43:136-145. doi:10.1016/j.cofs.2021.12.006
Davison G, Kehaya C, Wyn Jones A.Nutritional and physical activity interventions to improve immunity.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2014;10(3):152-169. Published 2014 Nov 25. doi:10.1177/1559827614557773
Simpson RJ, Kunz H, Agha N, et al.Exercise and the regulation of immune functions.Prog Mol Biol Transl Sci. 2015;135:355-380. doi:10.1016/bs.pmbts.2015.08.001
Monye I, Adelowo AB.Strengthening immunity through healthy lifestyle practices: Recommendations for lifestyle interventions in the management of COVID-19.Lifestyle Med (Hoboken). 2020;1(1):e7. doi:10.1002/lim2.7
Smyth N, Rossi E, Wood C.Effectiveness of stress-relieving strategies in regulating patterns of cortisol secretion and promoting brain health.Int Rev Neurobiol. 2020;150:219-246. doi:10.1016/bs.irn.2020.01.003
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