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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells

A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells

Published on: April 11, 2014

Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold.

R M Douglas, H Hemilä, E Chalker

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

|July 20, 2007

Summary

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) does not prevent colds in the general population. However, it may reduce cold duration in adults and children, particularly for those facing severe physical stress or cold conditions.

Area of Science:

Nutritional Science
Public Health
Preventive Medicine

Background:

The efficacy of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) for common cold prevention and treatment remains debated despite its widespread use.
Sixty years of research have yielded controversial results regarding vitamin C's role in managing colds.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine if daily oral vitamin C (≥0.2g) impacts the incidence, duration, or severity of the common cold.
To evaluate vitamin C's effectiveness as both a continuous prophylactic measure and a post-symptom therapeutic intervention.

Main Methods:

Systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials.
Searched Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases for relevant studies up to December 2006.
Included trials with daily vitamin C doses of at least 0.2g and placebo controls.

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Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds

Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds

Published on: October 29, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 13, 2026

A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells

A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells

Published on: April 11, 2014

Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds

Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds

Published on: October 29, 2015

Main Results:

Prophylactic vitamin C showed a non-significant 4% reduction in common cold incidence (RR 0.96).
A significant reduction in cold duration was observed: 8% for adults and 13.6% for children.
Vitamin C supplementation did not significantly reduce cold incidence or severity in the general population.
A subgroup analysis of individuals under severe physical stress (e.g., marathon runners) indicated a 50% reduction in cold incidence.

Conclusions:

Routine high-dose vitamin C prophylaxis is not recommended for the general population due to lack of significant incidence reduction.
Vitamin C supplementation may be beneficial for reducing cold duration in both adults and children.
Individuals exposed to extreme physical exertion or cold environments may benefit from vitamin C supplementation for cold prevention.