Does vitamin C really cure colds?
Ah, the common cold! This unwelcome companion that arrives without warning, especially during winter, and transforms our days into a succession of sniffles, coughs, and tissue packets. You know what we’re talking about, right? Who hasn’t desperately searched for a quick solution to get rid of this plague?
Among the most popular remedies, vitamin C, an essential water-soluble vitamin for the body, is often at the top of the list. But is this little vitamin really the magic wand to beat the common cold, or is it just a well-rooted legend?
We take you on a journey through scientific evidence to separate fact from fiction.
Where does the common cold come from?
The common cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract (nasal passages and throat), particularly common in winter.
Nearly a hundred viruses can cause the common cold. The main family of viruses involved are the "rhinoviruses" or "nasal cavity viruses." The common cold is a mildly contagious condition but still affects most people an average of 2 to 3 times a year.
In fact, rhinoviruses can persist for several hours outside the body and thus easily come into contact with the nasal passages. Contrary to popular belief, the spread of the common cold is not directly correlated with the drop in temperature. Instead, it is the increased tendency to frequent enclosed spaces in winter – and thus more crowded – that justifies the greater spread of the virus.
The origins of the belief
The belief that vitamin C can prevent or cure the common cold dates back to the 1970s. It was then that Linus Pauling, a brilliant chemist and double Nobel Prize winner, proclaimed the benefits of high doses of vitamin C. His writings quickly gained followers, and that's how vitamin C gained its superhero status in our fight against the common cold.
Scientific studies on vitamin C and the common cold
To see if our superhero really lives up to its promises, numerous studies have been conducted. One of the most comprehensive comes from the Cochrane Collaboration, known for its rigorous analyses.
Prevention of the common cold
The Cochrane Collaboration meta-analysis(1) offers us a big revelation: for most of us, regular intake of vitamin C does not prevent catching the common cold (sorry to burst the myth!).
However, if you are an endurance athlete, such as a marathon runner, skier, or even a soldier in training, it seems that vitamin C could reduce your chances of getting sick. This can be attributed to the fact that vitamin C helps support the immune system. Maybe running a marathon in the rain won't seem so terrible anymore?
Duration and severity of symptoms
Well, prevention might not be on the horizon, but what about the duration and severity of the symptoms? Regular intake of vitamin C could, according to the same meta-analysis, slightly reduce the duration of the common cold – by 8% in adults and 14% in children.
In other words, instead of dragging this cold out for ten days, you could get through it in nine. Not exactly something to jump for joy over, but always good to know!
Taking vitamin C after the onset of cold symptoms
And what if you start taking vitamin C at the first sign of a sneeze? Again, studies are disappointing: there is no significant effect on the duration or severity of the common cold. Yes, it seems our superhero arrives a bit too late to the party.
Biological mechanisms of vitamin C
However, given the diversity of viruses responsible for the common cold, these superpowers are not always sufficient.
9742194">Vitamin C does have some tricks up its sleeve. It is known for its antioxidant properties and for contributing to the support of our immune system. It helps protect our cells from free radicals and is essential for the production of collagen, which repairs our tissues.
However, given the diversity of viruses responsible for the common cold, these superpowers are not always sufficient.
Conclusion
In conclusion, although vitamin C is a crucial element for our health, scientific evidence shows that it is not the panacea against the common cold. It may slightly shorten the duration of symptoms, but it neither prevents nor cures the common cold.
So, before you reach for massive doses of vitamin C in case of a cold, remember that other simple measures, such as good hand hygiene and a balanced diet, are your best allies. As for vitamin C, consume it reasonably and enjoy its benefits within the context of a healthy diet.
(1) Douglas RM, Chalker EB, Treacy B. Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000;(2):CD000980.
