Sodium ascorbate is sodium salt of ascorbic acid (commonly known as vitamin C), which is approved for use as a food additive in many countries. Sodium ascorbate is consisted of a combination of sodium and vitamin C, which commonly serve as an antioxidant and an acidity regulator in pharmaceutical manufacturing and in the food industry. In this mixture, sodium acts as a buffer, creating a less acidic supplement than those made entirely from vitamin C. It can be easier to tolerate if the digestive system is sensitive to acid. As a vitamin C supplement, it provides both sodium and vitamin C for human body, which is effective to prevent or treat vitamin C deficiency. Besides, studies have shown that taking sodium ascorbate is helpful with cancer prevention and treatment.

Sodium ascorbate is used as an antioxidant in pharmaceutical formulations, and also in food products where it increases the effectiveness of sodium nitrite against growth of Listeria monocytogenes in cooked meats. It improves gel cohesiveness and sensory firmness of fiberized products regardless of vacuum treatment.It is also used therapeutically as a source of vitamin C in tablets and parenteral preparations