Most people have come to view ascorbic acid as vitamin C. The problem is that ascorbic acid is only an intermediate in the production of the real Vitamin C. 99% of all animals produce liver enzymes that convert ascorbic acid into neutral mineral ascorbates. Humans are among the species that do not produce these enzymes and thus the ascorbic acid form of vitamin C is not the most beneficial. Alacer Emergen-C simulates the production of the healthful mineral ascorbates by reacting ascorbic acid with mineral carbonates producing the effervescent Emergen-C drink. Most importantly, Emergen-C provides a neutral pH level of 7 rather than the harmful pH level of 4 which occurs when similar amounts of ascorbic acid are consumed.