Report: Vitamin C doesn't ward off colds

LONDON, July 18 (UPI) -- A review of scientific studies compiled in Britain finds that the notion that Vitamin C wards off the common cold is nothing more than an old wives' tale.

While essential for protecting cells and absorbing iron from food, it cannot cure or prevent colds in adults -- regardless of how much one takes, The Independent of London reported Wednesday, citing research highlighted in a recent issue of The Cochrane Library, which is published by the Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates medical research.

A review of 30 studies, involving 11,000 people, found no evidence that the average person feels better after taking Vitamin C, a popular cold remedy.

Vitamin C may offer some health benefits to those who endure extreme physical stress, including soldiers, skiers and marathon runners.

The jury is still out on what positive effects Vitamin C may have on colds in children and those suffering pneumonia, the study, done by scientists in Finland and Australia, said.

According to a variety of studies, none connected with the Vitamin C study, the best ways to prevent a cold are to take the herbal medicine Echinacea, to drink plenty of fluids and take acetaminophen, to avoid shaking hands and to wear a scarf when it is cold out or if you spend a lot of time in air-conditioning.