Vitamin C and the common cold - Summary

Vitamin C has no impact on the prevention or duration of the common cold, with two exceptions:

1. Under extreme stress (e.g., marathon running, extreme cold) vitamin C seems to decrease the incidence of colds by 50%.

2. 8 grams of vitamin C, digested on the first day of a cold, may decrease its duration.

So, as a regular prophylactic, or taken throughout the duration of a cold, there is no expectation of any impact of vitamin C on colds.

If you benefitted from this site, please consider supporting us.