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New research suggests that zinc could shorten common cold symptoms by around two days, but conclusive evidence is lacking, and side effects are a concern. More standardized research is needed to fully understand zinc’s effectiveness. A recent Cochrane review suggests that zinc supplementation could shorten the duration of common cold symptoms by approximately two days.

However, the findings are not definitive, and the possible advantages should be weighed against potential side effects. Since the 1980s, zinc products have been marketed as treatments for the common cold and are particularly popular in the USA. Zinc is an essential mineral naturally found in many foods and plays a role in immune function.



Most people in high-income countries get enough zinc through their diets, although aging and some chronic diseases may lead to deficiency. Mechanism and Research The theory behind zinc-based lozenges, sprays, and syrups is that the zinc may interfere with viral replication when it comes into contact with viral particles in the nose, mouth, and throat. Zinc has been shown to interfere with viral replication in petri dishes and mice, although this alone doesn’t tell us whether something will work in real people.

To test if zinc is useful in preventing or treating a cold, a team of researchers looked at 19 human trials examining zinc as a treatment and 15 as a preventative measure. They identified a lot of variation between the studies in how zinc was administered, how much w.

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