You know how it goes: cold season hits and immediately, everybody runs to the drug store to pick up a bottle of Vitamin C, swearing that these little tablets are going to make a difference. Guess what? Vitamin C doesn't actually do anything.
You heard that right. It does nothing. Nada. Squat. All of those supplements that you've desperately taken probably had no effect on the outcome of your sniffles. Now, once you've picked yourself up off the floor and gotten over the shock and heartbreak of this, keep reading to find out what I mean.
Why Doesn't It Work?
According to WebMD, Vitamin C is used in the maintenance of bones, muscles, and blood vessels. It also assists in the formation of collagen and helps the body absorb iron.
For years, it has been widely believed that Vitamin C helps with common colds. As soon as people start to feel sick, they rush to get some Vitamin C. Unfortunately, this whole thing is a myth. After many studies and over 60 years of clinical research, it's been found that when taken after the beginning of a cold, Vitamin C does nothing to lessen its duration or severity.
Through your tears, you might be asking, "but what if I take it daily?!" Well, good news! Studies found if taken as a daily supplement, Vitamin C can reduce the duration of colds...by 8%. It also does nothing to reduce the risk of catching a cold in the first place. Go ahead and keep taking your daily dose of vitamins, but don't expect to be immune from a nasty cold.
So what's the point?
Unsplash on unsplash
Well, Vitamin C is critical for immune function. If you don't get enough Vitamin C in your diet, you should turn to supplements. Some good sources of Vitamin C are bell peppers, broccoli,kiwi, strawberries, papaya, pineapple, cantaloupe, and of course, citrus fruits like oranges, tangerines and grapefruits.
So, there you have it. If you think I'm crazy and want to go on taking your supplements, knock yourself out. Just be careful not to take too much. If you take more than 2,000 mg a day (it would take a while), you may experience side effects such as bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, heartburn, headaches, insomnia and kidney stones. Enjoy your vitamin C, friends!