Vitamin C has long been associated with relief from the common cold, but research presents mixed outcomes.

1. According to the National Institutes of Health, large doses of vitamin C may help reduce the duration of a cold¹. However, it does not prevent one from catching a cold. The effectiveness can vary among individuals, and taking 1000 to 2000 mg per day is generally safe for most people. Excessive vitamin C can cause stomach upset and is not recommended for those with kidney disease or during pregnancy¹.

2. A meta-analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials found that vitamin C supplementation significantly improved the overall efficacy, reduced the time for symptom amelioration, and decreased the time needed for healing compared to taking antiviral therapy alone².

Footnotes

1. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia - Vitamin C and colds ↩ ↩²

2. Biomed Res Int - Vitamin C as a Supplementary Therapy in Relieving Symptoms of the Common Cold: A Meta-Analysis of 10 Randomized Controlled Trials ↩