What is it about?
Previous meta-analyses have demonstrated that vitamin C has an effect on common cold duration and severity. Some trials reported greater effects on severe cold symptoms compared with mild symptoms. This review compared the effects of vitamin C on severe and mild common cold symptoms. Based on 15 comparisons, vitamin C significantly decreased the severity of the common cold by 15%. In a direct comparison, the effect was greater on severe colds and minor on the duration of mild symptoms.
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Why is it important?
The common cold is the leading cause of acute morbidity and a major cause of absenteeism from work and school. However, absenteeism is dependent on the severity of symptoms. This study indicates that vitamin C may have greater effect on more severe symptoms than on mild symptoms. Therefore trials that have measured only the duration of mild symptoms may underestimate the potential role of vitamin C in influencing the effect on absenteeism.
Perspectives
Given the low cost and safety of vitamin C, the 15–26% decrease in cold severity may justify regular vitamin C administration in some contexts, such as for people who have frequent contact with young children.
Dr Harri Hemila
Helsingin Yliopisto
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Vitamin C reduces the severity of common colds: a meta-analysis, BMC Public Health, December 2023, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17229-8.
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