Evidence supporting the use of: Citrus Unspecified
For the health condition: Colds (prevention)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Citrus fruits (such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits) are commonly associated with the prevention and management of colds due to their high vitamin C content. The practice of using citrus for colds has both traditional roots and some scientific investigation. However, focusing strictly on scientific validation, multiple clinical trials and meta-analyses have examined the effect of vitamin C supplementation (often sourced from citrus) on the incidence and duration of the common cold.
The most comprehensive review, by the Cochrane Collaboration (Hemilä & Chalker, 2013), found that routine vitamin C supplementation does not reduce the incidence of colds in the general population, though it may slightly reduce the duration and severity of symptoms. In specific populations exposed to extreme physical stress (such as marathon runners), vitamin C supplementation modestly reduced cold incidence. The evidence for vitamin C as a preventive measure in the general population is therefore limited. Furthermore, consuming citrus fruits is not equivalent to high-dose vitamin C supplementation, and the studies typically involved higher doses than those found in dietary citrus intake.
In summary, while there is some scientific evidence supporting a minor role for vitamin C (and by extension, citrus) in reducing the duration or severity of colds, its effect as a preventive measure in the general population is weak. The overall rating for evidence supporting citrus use for cold prevention is therefore modest.
Other ingredients used for Colds (prevention)
allspicealoe vera
green chiretta
anthocyanins
arabinogalactan
astragalus
waterhyssop
bamboo
basil
berry flavor
beta-pinene
Beta-Glucan
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
black tea
blackberry
bасора
camu camu
capsaicinoids
caterpillar mushroom
chamomile
chlorella
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus oil
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coconut milk
colostrum
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
Indian tinospora
honeysuckle
lactobacillus brevis
lemon
licorice root
lovage
marshmallow
moringa
mustard seed
nettle
spruce
orange
oregano
oregon grape
pear
phenolic acids
pineapple
plantain
pollen
pomegranate
pumpkin
quercetin
reishi mushroom
rhizome
rose hips
rosemary
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin C
vitamin D
seaweed
yeast
zinc
sarsaparilla
squawvine
tangerine
xanthium (cockleburs)
papaya
mugwort
nut grass
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
pistacia integerrima gall
blackboard tree
peony
buckthorn
lemongrass
yerba santa
chrysanthemum
siler root
flowering quince
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
eucalyptus
menthol oil
aster root
goji berry
paw paw
algae
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
Aralia
Avens
Apple Cider Vinegar
Agastache
Ardisia
acacia
Allicin
Abrus
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Ajuga
Andrographolide
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Asteracea
Allyl Sulfide
allyl isothiocyanate
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arani
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bermuda Grass
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Blackthorn
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Bayleaf
Black galingale
Bitter Grass
Bael
berry
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Bioflavonoids
black salt
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Bassia scoparia
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Coconut
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
Cinnamomum
Coriander
Capillary Artemisia
Citron
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Capsaicin
Chinese Raisintree
Chlorophytum
Cowherb
Cistus
Cinnamaldehyde
Costus
Celosia
Currant
Dianthus
Dragonhead
Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
European Elder
Echinacea
Elder
Essential Oil Blend
European-Five Finger Grass
Flavonoids
Goldthread
Garlic
Mustard
Sandalwood
Sumac
Vervain