Vitamin C myth regarding cold prevention debunked

Scientific evidence has challenged the long-standing belief that vitamin C can prevent the common cold. This misconception dates back to 1970, when Nobel Prize-winning chemist Linus Pauling published a book suggesting daily doses of 1,000 to 2,000 milligrams to protect against infections.

However, Pauling’s recommendations were based on a placebo-controlled trial involving children, and subsequent analyses revealed mathematical inconsistencies in his work. While some studies suggest that vitamin C may slightly reduce the severity of symptoms—noting a roughly 15% reduction in severe symptoms compared to those who do not take it—researchers conclude it does not prevent infections in the general population.