Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Black currant (Ribes nigrum) has a long history of traditional use in Europe and Asia for supporting immune health and preventing colds. Folk medicine employed black currant berries and leaves in teas, syrups, and extracts, believing their high vitamin C content could help ward off common respiratory infections. Black currant berries are indeed rich in vitamin C, which is known to contribute to normal immune system function, and they also contain anthocyanins (antioxidants) and other polyphenols. However, direct scientific studies specifically evaluating black currant for the prevention of colds in humans are limited. Some small laboratory and animal studies suggest black currant extracts might have antiviral properties and could modulate immune responses, but clinical evidence in humans is weak or inconclusive. Most of the rationale for its use remains rooted in tradition and its nutritional content, rather than robust randomized controlled trials. Thus, while black currant may offer general immune support due to its vitamin C and antioxidant content, its specific effectiveness in preventing colds has not been definitively established in the scientific literature.

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Other ingredients used for Colds (prevention)

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