抗坏血酸（英语：ascorbic acid, C₆H₈O₆）是一种天然存在的具有抗氧化性质的有机化合物。纯净的抗坏血酸是白色固体，但有些杂质的样品会带点微黄色。抗坏血酸易溶于水，形成轻度酸性的溶液。这种物质最初被称为「L-己糖醛酸」，但是当它被发现在动物上有维生素C活性，因而有人建议将其重命名。抗坏血酸是维生素C的被定义为一维生素活性，而不是那么一个特定的物质。新的名称，抗坏血酸英文名“Ascorbic acid”源自于：a-（表示“不”）+ scorbutus（表示“坏血病”，此病缘于缺乏维生素C）。抗坏血酸衍生于葡萄糖，许多动物都可以制造它，但是人类需要它作为他们营养的一部分。其它缺少制造抗坏血酸的脊椎动物包括灵长类、豚鼠、真骨鱼类、蝙蝠和一些鸟类，他们都需要抗坏血酸作为饮食中的微量营养素。

Ascorbic acid is a naturally occurring organic compound with antioxidant properties. It is a white solid, but impure samples can appear yellowish. It dissolves well in water to give mildly acidic solutions. Ascorbic acid is one form ("vitamer") of vitamin C. It was originally called L-hexuronic acid, but, when it was found to have vitamin C activity in animals ("vitamin C" being defined as a vitamin activity, not then a specific substance), the suggestion was made to rename it. The new name, ascorbic acid, is derived from a- (meaning "no") and scorbutus (scurvy), the disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C. Because it is derived from glucose, many non-human animals are able to produce it, but humans require it as part of their nutrition. Other vertebrates which lack the ability to produce ascorbic acid include some primates, guinea pigs, teleost fishes, bats, and some birds, all of which require it as a dietary micronutrient (that is, in vitamin form).