What has 6000 times more vitamin C?

October 7, 2025 •

4 min read

While no single food has 6000 times more vitamin C, the potent carotenoid astaxanthin is renowned for being up to 6000 times more powerful as an antioxidant than vitamin C. This potent compound, along with the incredibly vitamin-C-rich Kakadu plum, is changing the way we think about antioxidant-rich foods and supplements.

Quick Summary

This article explores astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant noted for its high potency compared to vitamin C, and introduces the Kakadu plum, the world's richest natural source of vitamin C. It details their benefits for immune support, skin health, and overall wellness.

Key Points

Antioxidant Power: The comparison of "6000 times more vitamin C" refers to astaxanthin's potency as an antioxidant, not its vitamin C content, offering superior cellular protection.
Kakadu Plum: The Kakadu plum is the world's richest natural source of actual vitamin C, containing up to 100 times more than an orange.
Dual Superfoods: Astaxanthin (a powerful antioxidant from marine sources) and Kakadu plum (a natural vitamin C powerhouse) both provide immense health benefits for the immune system and skin.
Nutrient Synergy: Kakadu plum's natural vitamin C works in conjunction with other phytonutrients like ellagic acid, offering a more bioavailable and comprehensive benefit.
Applications: Astaxanthin is primarily consumed via supplements, while Kakadu plum is available as a powder or extract for use in food and skincare products.
Skincare Benefits: Both superfoods are highly sought after in skincare for their ability to brighten skin, fight free radicals, and boost collagen production.

Exploring the Power of Astaxanthin

When considering what has 6000 times more vitamin C, it is important to clarify that this comparison refers to astaxanthin's antioxidant power, not its vitamin C content. Astaxanthin is a powerful keto-carotenoid, a natural reddish pigment found in marine organisms, which has drawn significant attention for its remarkable health benefits. Unlike vitamin C, astaxanthin is fat-soluble and can protect both the water-soluble and fat-soluble parts of a cell, offering a more comprehensive defense against free radicals.

Where is astaxanthin found naturally?

Astaxanthin is most concentrated in the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis, which serves as the primary food source for many marine animals. It gives the pink and red color to wild salmon, trout, crab, and shrimp. This microalgae is also the source for dietary supplements.

Health benefits of astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is a potent antioxidant that combats free radicals and offers protection against oxidative stress and inflammation. It can enhance immune cell function and boost the production of cytokines and antibodies. It also helps protect skin from UV damage, reduces wrinkles, and improves moisture retention. Research suggests it can support cognitive function and protect against eye strain and age-related macular degeneration.

The Kakadu Plum: A True Vitamin C Powerhouse

While astaxanthin is the superior antioxidant, the search for what has 6000 times more vitamin C is also linked to the Kakadu plum, which is the world's richest natural source of actual vitamin C. This small, green, native Australian fruit contains up to 100 times more vitamin C than an orange.

What makes Kakadu plum a superfood?

The extremely high level of vitamin C makes it a powerful source for boosting the immune system, supporting collagen synthesis, and improving iron absorption. It also contains beneficial compounds like ellagic acid, flavonoids, and gallic acid, which provide additional anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Traditionally used as bush medicine, it is now found in supplements, skincare, and food.

Comparison of Astaxanthin, Kakadu Plum, and an Orange


Feature	Astaxanthin	Kakadu Plum	Orange
Primary Function	Extremely powerful antioxidant	World's richest source of vitamin C	Good source of vitamin C
Potency	Antioxidant activity is up to 6000 times stronger than vitamin C	Contains up to 100 times more vitamin C than an orange	Standard reference for vitamin C content
Source	Microalgae, wild salmon, shrimp	Native Australian fruit	Common citrus fruit
Form Available	Primarily supplements and marine animal sources	Powder, extract, fresh fruit	Fresh fruit, juice
Bioavailability	High, especially from natural sources	Enhanced due to natural composition	Good, but less concentrated than other sources
Key Additional Nutrients	Vitamin E, other carotenoids	Ellagic acid, polyphenols, potassium	Flavonoids

How to Incorporate These Superfoods into Your Routine

For astaxanthin, supplements are the most common method of consumption to achieve therapeutic levels. Look for supplements sourced from Haematococcus pluvialis.

Kakadu plum is often available in freeze-dried powder or extract form. The powder can be added to:

Smoothies
Yogurt
Jams and sauces
Health bites

Add Kakadu plum powder to cold dishes to preserve its vitamin C content. It has a tangy, citrus-like flavor.

Conclusion

Both astaxanthin and the exceptionally vitamin-C-rich Kakadu plum are potent superfoods linked to superior nutritional power compared to a standard vitamin C source like an orange. Astaxanthin boasts up to 6000 times the antioxidant strength, while Kakadu plum offers up to 100 times greater natural vitamin C content. Incorporating these nutrient-dense options through supplements, fresh produce, or powders offers significant benefits for skin health, immune function, and overall wellness. Understanding their unique properties allows for informed choices to boost antioxidant intake and support a healthier lifestyle.

How astaxanthin combats free radicals

Astaxanthin's unique molecular structure allows it to span the entire cell membrane, protecting both fat-soluble and water-soluble parts of the cell. This makes it exceptionally effective at neutralizing free radicals and shielding cells from oxidative damage, contributing to its high potency rating.

History and traditional use of Kakadu plum

Indigenous Australians have used Kakadu plum as a food source and traditional medicine for millennia. The bark and sap treated skin infections, while the fruit was a remedy for colds and flu. This history highlights its respected status long before modern science confirmed its nutritional profile.

Kakadu plum's skincare revolution

Thanks to its superior vitamin C concentration, Kakadu plum is popular in skincare. Its powerful antioxidant properties help brighten skin tone, reduce hyperpigmentation, and boost collagen production. Its natural vitamin C is often gentler on sensitive skin than synthetic options.

Ethical and sustainable harvesting of Kakadu plum

Supporting ethical and sustainable harvesting practices that benefit Indigenous communities is important due to growing demand for Kakadu plum. Collaborating with Indigenous harvesters ensures traditional knowledge is respected and communities benefit from the commercialization of this superfood.

Astaxanthin vs. synthetic vitamin C

Astaxanthin's benefits are often compared to synthetic vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in skincare. Astaxanthin provides more comprehensive antioxidant defense due to its structure that protects the entire cell, leading to more profound anti-aging effects and better protection against environmental stressors.

The synergy of Kakadu plum's nutrients

The high vitamin C in Kakadu plum works synergistically with other bioactive compounds like ellagic acid and flavonoids. This combination provides a more holistic and powerful antioxidant effect than isolated nutrients.

Astaxanthin in different species

Astaxanthin gives various marine animals their vibrant reddish-pink color. Its presence in the diet of creatures like salmon, shrimp, and flamingos is what makes them appear so colorful.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the statement refers to astaxanthin's antioxidant power relative to vitamin C, which has been cited as up to 6000 times stronger. The Australian Kakadu plum is the richest source of actual vitamin C, containing up to 100 times more than an orange.

Astaxanthin is a potent keto-carotenoid pigment found primarily in the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis. This is the same compound that gives wild salmon, trout, crab, and shrimp their reddish color.

The Kakadu plum is a small, green native Australian fruit recognized as the world's richest natural source of vitamin C. It contains up to 100 times more vitamin C than an orange and is also rich in other antioxidants and minerals.

While astaxanthin is present in some seafood like wild salmon, the concentration is not enough to achieve therapeutic levels. It is more commonly and effectively consumed through dietary supplements.

The high vitamin C content in Kakadu plum is excellent for skincare. It helps brighten skin, reduce hyperpigmentation, combat UV-induced free radical damage, and boost collagen synthesis.

Kakadu plum is often available as a freeze-dried powder or extract due to limited fresh availability. It can be added to cold dishes like smoothies, yogurt, or sauces to preserve its heat-sensitive vitamin C content.

Astaxanthin and vitamin C have different strengths. Astaxanthin is a far more potent antioxidant, protecting cells more comprehensively. However, vitamin C is a crucial nutrient for immune function and collagen synthesis, which the body requires directly.