Skip to content
Nutrition Reviews

Head to head · Vitamins & Minerals

Nature's Way Sambucus Elderberry Immune Gummy vs NOW Foods Vitamin C-1000 Sustained Release

NOW Foods scores higher overall (8.1 vs 6.9 out of 10), mainly on efficacy, value and transparency. Nature's Way still leads on experience.

Updated October 2026 from our full reviews · How we score

Front of the 60-count Nature's Way Sambucus Elderberry Immune Gummy bottle
Nature's WaySambucus Elderberry Immune Gummy
6.9
Mixed

A tasty family gummy with real amounts of vitamins C, D3 and zinc, but its 50 mg of elderberry extract is far below the doses used in cold and flu studies.

Check price on AmazonShop on TikTok Shop64 sold

We may earn a commission when you buy through these links — it never affects our scores. How we make money

Read the full review
Higher score
Front of NOW C-1000 Sustained Release 250-tablet bottle
NOW FoodsVitamin C-1000 Sustained Release
8.1
Good

1,000 mg of vitamin C with rose hips in a sustained-release tablet for about 6 cents a day; far more than most people need, but cheap and cleanly made.

Check price on AmazonBuy from the brand

We may earn a commission when you buy through these links — it never affects our scores. How we make money

Read the full review

We may earn a commission when you buy through these links — it never affects our scores. How we make money

The short answer

Choose Nature's Way if…

  • Adults and children 4+ who prefer a chewable daily vitamin C, D3 and zinc
  • Families who want one gummy the whole household will take
  • People who enjoy elderberry as part of a winter routine
  • You care most about experience

Choose NOW Foods if…

  • People with low fruit and vegetable intake
  • Smokers and endurance athletes
  • Budget shoppers who want a large bottle
  • You care most about efficacy, value, transparency

Side by side

Sambucus Elderberry Immune GummyVitamin C-1000 Sustained Release
Our score6.9 / 108.1 / 10
Efficacy (30%)5.87.4
Quality & Purity (25%)7.57.6
Value (20%)6.39.6
Experience (15%)8.37.8
Transparency (10%)7.68.8
FormGummyTablet
Serving2 gummies30 servings per container1 tablet250 servings per container
Price per serving$0.70See retailer
Testing & certifications
cGMP facility
cGMP facilityKosherHalal
DietaryGluten-free, Dairy-free, VegetarianVegan, Gluten-free, Soy-free, Dairy-free, Non-GMO
Key ingredients
  • Black elder (Sambucus nigra) berry extract50 mg
  • Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)90 mg
  • Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)30 mcg (1,200 IU)
  • Zinc (as zinc citrate)7.5 mg
  • Added sugars (organic tapioca syrup, cane sugar)3 g
  • Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid)1,000 mg
  • Rose hips powder (Rosa canina, fruit)25 mg
Flavors1 (Elderberry)—
Creator video reviews42

Pros and cons

Sambucus Elderberry Immune Gummy

  • Every amount is disclosed, including the 50 mg extract and its 3,200 mg berry equivalent
  • Meaningful vitamin C (90 mg), vitamin D3 (1,200 IU) and zinc (7.5 mg) per serving
  • Brand runs an ISO 17025-accredited lab and NSF-certified GMP facilities, with a published testing page for this product
  • Buyers consistently praise the berry taste, and children generally accept it
  • Pectin-based, gluten free and vegetarian, with no artificial colors
  • 50 mg of elderberry extract a day is a small fraction of the doses tested in trials
  • No third-party product certification, and the anthocyanin percentage is not disclosed
  • 3 g of added sugar per serving, and buyers report gummies fusing together in heat
  • About $0.70 a day at list price, more than plain vitamin C, D and zinc

Vitamin C-1000 Sustained Release

  • About $0.06 per day
  • 1,000 mg dose stays well under the 2,000 mg upper limit
  • Vegan, kosher and halal, made without major allergens
  • GMP-certified manufacturing
  • Far above daily needs, and absorption drops below 50% above 1 g
  • Large oval tablet with a noticeable vitamin smell
  • No evidence offered for the sustained-release design
  • No USP or NSF certification

Our verdicts

Sambucus Elderberry Immune Gummy

A pleasant, fully labeled gummy that children generally accept and that supplies meaningful vitamin C, vitamin D3 and zinc. The elderberry is a token daily dose next to what trials used, and even those trials were small and mixed. Buy it as an easy way to cover a few nutrients, not as protection against colds or flu.

Full review

Vitamin C-1000 Sustained Release

An inexpensive, well-made way to take 1,000 mg of vitamin C a day from a manufacturer with solid quality systems. Most people get enough vitamin C from food, so it suits heavy exercisers, smokers and people with low fruit and vegetable intake best; others can take it less often.

Full review

What creators say

Questions people ask

Is Nature's Way better than NOW Foods?
In our scoring, NOW Foods Vitamin C-1000 Sustained Release rates higher overall (8.1 vs 6.9 out of 10). Nature's Way leads on experience; NOW Foods leads on efficacy, value and transparency. Scores weigh efficacy, quality, value, experience and transparency.
Who should choose Nature's Way over NOW Foods?
Our reviews suggest Nature's Way is best for adults and children 4+ who prefer a chewable daily vitamin C, D3 and zinc, families who want one gummy the whole household will take and people who enjoy elderberry as part of a winter routine, while NOW Foods is best for people with low fruit and vegetable intake, smokers and endurance athletes and budget shoppers who want a large bottle.

More vitamins & minerals comparisons

Vitamin D3 2000 IU Softgels vs Zinc Picolinate 15 mg

Vitamin D3 2000 IU Softgels vs Magnesium (Glycinate)

Vitamin D3 2000 IU Softgels vs Vitamin D3 + K2 (5000 IU)

Magnesium (Glycinate) vs Zinc Picolinate 15 mg

Vitamin D3 + K2 (5000 IU) vs Zinc Picolinate 15 mg

Magnesium (Glycinate) vs Vitamin D3 + K2 (5000 IU)

See all vitamins & minerals, ranked