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 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 an antioxidant that is the sodium form of ascorbic acid. it is soluble in water and provides a nonacidic taste. a 10% aqueous solution has a ph of 7.3-7.6. in water, it readily reacts with atmospheric oxygen and other oxidizing agents, making it valuable as an antioxidant. one part sodium ascorbate is equivalent to 1.09 parts of sodium erythorbate. see ascorbic acid.

As a food additive, it has the E number E301 and is used as an antioxidant and an acidity regulator. It is approved for use as a food additive in the EU, USA, and Australia and New Zealand.
In in vitro studies, sodium ascorbate has been found to produce cytotoxic effects in various malignant cell lines, which include melanoma cells that are particularly susceptible.