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Summer colds? This vitamin can help boost your defenses
🇲🇽 Mexico /Conflict & Security

Summer colds? This vitamin can help boost your defenses

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Summer colds are common due to temperature changes, air conditioning, and viruses, despite being associated with winter.
  • Vitamin C is highlighted for its role in supporting the immune system's normal function.
  • While not preventing colds, regular vitamin C intake may help reduce their duration or severity.

Catching a cold during the summer months is more common than many realize. While often linked to winter's chill, abrupt temperature shifts, constant air conditioning use, and exposure to various viruses can trigger respiratory symptoms even in warmer weather. Beyond rest and hydration, certain nutrients can support overall well-being.

The symptoms of the common cold can be caused by more than 200 different viruses.

— National Institutes of Health (US)Explaining the variety of causes for cold symptoms.

Vitamin C stands out for its recognized role in the normal functioning of the immune system. The common cold can stem from over 200 different viruses. While rhinoviruses are frequent culprits in winter, other viruses circulate in summer, potentially affecting the nose and throat. Factors like frequenting enclosed spaces, sudden temperature changes, and inadequate ventilation can irritate airways.

The improper use of air conditioning can also contribute. Prolonged exposure to very cold indoor environments followed by a rapid transition to high outdoor temperatures can dry out mucous membranes. This can lead to discomforts such as congestion, sneezing, nasal irritation, dry cough, or a sore throat.

Although these measures can help care for the defenses, it is important to remember that a cold is usually a viral infection and that supplements do not replace medical attention when symptoms persist, worsen or are accompanied by high fever, difficulty breathing or intense pain.

— Article AuthorAdvising on the limitations of self-care and supplements for colds.

While these measures can help bolster defenses, it's crucial to remember that a cold is typically a viral infection. Supplements do not replace medical attention if symptoms persist, worsen, or are accompanied by high fever, breathing difficulties, or severe pain. Evidence suggests that while vitamin C may not necessarily prevent illness, consistent consumption could potentially aid in reducing the duration or severity of cold symptoms.

The evidence available indicates that it does not necessarily prevent a person from getting sick, but its regular consumption could help reduce...

— Article AuthorDiscussing the potential benefits of Vitamin C for colds.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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