Evidence supporting the use of: Sodium Ascorbate
For the health condition: Colds (antiviral)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Sodium ascorbate is a mineral salt of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and is commonly used as a vitamin C supplement. The use of vitamin C to prevent or treat colds has a long history, originating from the 1970s when Nobel laureate Linus Pauling popularized the idea that high doses of vitamin C could reduce the incidence and severity of common colds. This led to widespread traditional use of vitamin C, including sodium ascorbate, for this purpose. Scientifically, the evidence supporting vitamin C (including sodium ascorbate) as a treatment for colds is mixed. Multiple randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses, such as those summarized in Cochrane reviews, have found that routine vitamin C supplementation does not significantly reduce the incidence of colds in the general population but may slightly reduce the duration and severity of symptoms. Furthermore, there is no robust evidence that vitamin C or sodium ascorbate has direct antiviral activity against cold viruses in vivo. Its use is therefore justified more by tradition and historical practice than by strong scientific validation. The overall quality of evidence is low to moderate, and the effect size is small, supporting a rating of 2 out of 5 for evidence.
Other ingredients used for Colds (antiviral)
allspicealoe vera
anthocyanins
arabinogalactan
waterhyssop
basil
berry flavor
beta-pinene
bilberry
bisabolol
black cumin
black currant
black garlic
blueberry
Indian frankincense
cat's claw
catechins
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus oil
clove
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
green tea
honeysuckle
knotweed
lactoferrin
lactoperoxidase
lauric acid
lemon
licorice root
luteolin
mastic gum
monolaurin
oregano
perilla
phellodendron amurense
phenolic acids
pineapple
pomegranate
quercetin
resveratrol
rhizome
rosemary
schizonepeta
shiitake mushroom
spirulina
thyme
vitamin C
vitamin D
wasabia japonica
zinc
xanthium (cockleburs)
hyssop
papaya
mugwort
neem tree
nut grass
alpinia galangal
commiphora
buckthorn
pau d'arco
morus
lemongrass
chrysanthemum
ganoderma
morinda
oriental arborvitae
zanthoxylum
fulvic acid
goji berry
indigo leaves
soursop
Ash
Agastache
Autumn elaeagnus
Alpha-terpineol
Apigenin
Allicin
Anamu
AHCC
Andrographolide
Amentoflavone
Asam gelugor
Acacetin
Aureobasidium pullulans
Andrographis
Asteracea
Allyl Sulfide
allyl isothiocyanate
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Atractylone
Bee Propolis
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Broussonetia
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Black galingale
Bitter Grass
Bee hive
Basidiomycota
berry
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Baicalin
Bassia scoparia
Borneol
Caffeic Acid
Camellia sinensis
Coconut
Curry leaf
Chinese Mountain Ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Coriolus mushroom
Carrageenan
Carvacrol
Capillary Artemisia
Citron
Citrus
Chinese Raisintree
Cowherb
Cistus
Common madia
Cinnamaldehyde
Costus
Celosia
Chondrus
Deoxyandrographolides
David's Milkberry
European Elder
Echinacea
Elder
Essential Oil Blend
Flavonoids
Flavonones
Goldthread
Garlic
Galangal
Sandalwood