YouTube as a source of information regarding the effect of vitamin C on coronavirus disease

With the expansion of the internet, social media platforms have become a major source of medical information. However, medical information on online multimedia platforms is often inaccurate. In the current study, we evaluated the reliability, quality, and accuracy of the most viewed YouTube videos featuring the effects of vitamin C on COVID-19.

A search was conducted on YouTube on January 13, 2022, using the keywords ("ascorbic acid" OR "vitamin C" OR "sodium ascorbate" OR "L-ascorbic") AND ("coronavirus" OR "COVID 19" OR "COVID-19" OR "Corona" OR "COVID" OR "SARSCoV2"). We assessed the 50 most-viewed videos using a modified DISCERN scale (mDISCERN) and Global Quality Scale (GQS). Additionally, the accuracy of the information in each video was evaluated.

Out of the 50 most-viewed videos featuring the effect of vitamin C on COVID-19, 54% were not reliable. Furthermore, 62% presented poor quality, and 74% were misleading or neither accurate nor misleading. The average mDISCERN and GQS scores of the 50 included videos were 2.2 ± 1.4 (≥ 3: highly reliable) and 2.2 ± 1.1 (2: generally poor), respectively. Although the videos were made by medical doctors, their reliability, quality, and accuracy were not significantly different from those displayed in other sources, including fitness channels, television or internet-based news or programs, consumers, company channels, product advertisements, or prepared by nurses.

The reliability, quality, and accuracy of the 50 most-viewed videos on the effect of vitamin C on COVID-19 were not high. Video creators, especially medical doctors, should make an effort so that the videos present reliable content with high-quality and correct information is disseminated to people.