Myth

Mega-dosing Vitamin C prevents colds

Verdict: mostly false

It may slightly shorten duration, but does not reliably prevent colds.

Evidence suggests routine vitamin C can modestly reduce cold duration in some populations, especially under physical stress. It does not consistently prevent colds in the general population. Very high doses can cause GI upset and are not a substitute for sleep, hand hygiene, and vaccination strategies.

PubMed Citations

Citations are currently unavailable.

Related Nutrients

Related Myths

Get your personalized vitamin stack

Take the quiz and get dosing, timing, and safety notes tailored to you.

Take the Quiz