Truth or myth: Do citrus fruits cure colds?

With the cold season, hot drinks, autumn desserts, fruit punch season, and lots of delicious food come to us, but we are also besieged by the common cold, a viral infection that causes symptoms such as congestion, mucus, sneezing, fever, cough, phlegm, body aches, among others.  Despite being so annoying, in most cases, colds last a few days, and symptoms can be mitigated with medication, hot tea, and chicken broth. However, there is also a myth that states that citrus fruits cure this disease, but how true is this? At kiwilimón, we set out to investigate! You can also read: Vitamin C to look radiant and youngWhat is Vitamin C? The vitamin C is an essential nutrient for the human body as it has antioxidant properties, strengthens the skin and bones, and helps absorb iron, according to Medline Plus, a portal of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. On its part, Harvard University states that vitamin C has the following health benefits: Helps control infections and in wound healing.  Fights the effects of free radicals. Is essential for collagen production in the body.  Is needed for hormone production and more.  Some of the foods highest in vitamin C include: citrus fruits red and green bell peppers berries kiwi tomato white potato broccoli cabbage Brussels sprouts cauliflower melon You can also read: High Vitamin C Drinks for the ColdDo citrus fruits cure colds? Have you ever wondered if citrus fruits cure colds? The answer is no. The myth that citrus fruits cured colds emerged in 1970 when Linus Pauling, who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1954, declared that consuming a good amount of vitamin C “prevented and cured the common cold.” However, experts indicate that Pauling took the small findings too optimistically and exaggerated the powers of citrus fruits against this seasonal disease. Although citrus fruits, which are rich in vitamin C, do not cure or prevent colds, they do have significant health benefits. In 2020, the National Library of Medicine explained that, in general, the consumption of vitamin C only serves to shorten the duration of the cold and clarified that “starting to take it once you already have cold symptoms will have no effect on the illness.” Health experts also point out that, although a certain amount of vitamin C needs to be consumed daily to stay healthy, it is commonly obtained through food, as it is found in citrus fruits, fruits, and vegetables.  In most cases, it is unnecessary to consume vitamin C supplements since, with more than 1 gram of this nutrient, the body discards it through urine, as the body cannot store this vitamin.  For their part, experts from the WebMD portal recommend enjoying these foods when you catch a cold: 1. Chicken broth 2. Ginger 3. Green tea 4. Blueberries 5. Red onion 6. Kale  7. Broccoli  8. Cranberries 9. Chili 10. Garlic You can also read: Vitamins and Foods to Strengthen Against CovidRecipes with Citrus Now that you know the importance of including foods rich in vitamin C, even though this nutrient does not cure colds, feel encouraged to cook amazing dishes with a touch of citrus; you will love them!  Citrus and Quinoa SaladHigh Vitamin C SaladVitamin Smoothie with AlmondFruit, Ginger, and Honey Rice DrinkTuna Salad with Orange DressingFish and Orange CevicheGreen Tea Citrus LemonadeMandarin Salad with Sesame ShrimpSpicy Shrimp Salad with Grapefruit