Does vitamin C help with a cold?

The myth that vitamin C is a cure-all for colds is incredibly popular, but it is not supported by serious scientific research. Large-scale clinical trials show that regular intake of ascorbic acid does not prevent infection with acute respiratory viral infections.

However, if you take vitamin C regularly as a daily habit even before the illness starts, it can slightly reduce the overall duration and ease the symptoms of a cold. The body does not store ascorbic acid for future use, so taking mega-doses at the moment you are already sick is ineffective and will not speed up recovery in any way.

Attempts to cure a cold using mega-doses of vitamin C are not only useless, but also harmful. An excessive amount of ascorbic acid irritates the gastric mucosa, increases the risk of kidney stones, and can trigger allergic reactions.

To provide the body with a sufficient amount of vitamin C, it is best to get it from fresh foods. Excellent natural sources include citrus fruits, bell peppers, kiwi, black currants, and various types of cabbage, which, as part of a balanced diet, completely cover the daily requirement.