Synopsis

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

Vitamin C has been used traditionally to support the immune system and is commonly believed to help prevent or treat influenza (the flu). The popularity of vitamin C for colds and flu dates back to the 1970s, largely due to the work of Linus Pauling, who advocated high-dose vitamin C for respiratory illnesses. The theoretical basis is that vitamin C may enhance immune function, reduce inflammation, and act as an antioxidant, thereby helping the body fight infections such as influenza.

However, scientific evidence specifically supporting vitamin C as a treatment or preventive measure for influenza is limited. While some studies suggest that regular vitamin C supplementation may slightly reduce the duration and severity of common cold symptoms in certain populations, evidence for its effectiveness against influenza is lacking. Most clinical trials focus on the common cold, not influenza, and the results are mixed or show only minor benefits.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses, including those conducted by the Cochrane Collaboration, generally conclude that vitamin C does not prevent the onset of influenza in the general population and offers, at best, modest reductions in symptom duration. There is no high-quality evidence to support vitamin C as a treatment for influenza. Its ongoing use for flu is therefore based more on traditional beliefs and anecdotal reports rather than robust scientific validation.

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Other ingredients used for Influenza

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