Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
For the health condition: Colds (antiviral)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is widely used to support or treat the common cold, and its use is rooted both in tradition and scientific investigation. The hypothesis that vitamin C could prevent or treat colds was popularized in the 1970s by Linus Pauling, who suggested high doses could reduce both the incidence and severity of colds. Since then, numerous randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have been conducted to evaluate its efficacy.

The most recent and comprehensive evidence, including a 2013 Cochrane review, indicates that regular supplementation with vitamin C (at doses of 200 mg per day or more) does not significantly reduce the incidence of colds in the general population, but may slightly reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms. In people under extreme physical stress (such as marathon runners), incidence may be reduced. The evidence does not support the use of vitamin C as a treatment after cold symptoms have started.

Overall, the scientific evidence for vitamin C’s antiviral or cold-treating benefits is modest. There appears to be a small but consistent reduction in symptom duration (by about 8% in adults and 14% in children), but no substantial effect on preventing colds for most people. Thus, while vitamin C has some scientific basis for use in reducing cold duration, its effects are limited, and it is not a cure or strong preventive agent.

More about Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
More about Colds (antiviral)

Other ingredients used for Colds (antiviral)

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aloe 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
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AHCC
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allyl isothiocyanate
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berry
Bee products
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Clerodendrum trichotomum
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Capillary Artemisia
Citron
Citrus
Chinese Raisintree
Cowherb
Cistus
Common madia
Cinnamaldehyde
Costus
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Deoxyandrographolides
David's Milkberry
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Echinacea
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Essential Oil Blend
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Products containing Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.