How many times last winter some of your friends or relatives invited to eat fruit or drinking a lot of juice with the promise of an effective prevention against colds? It's a rhetorical question, the answer is "every time".
Nowadays it is increasingly widespread, especially in net, the false belief that citrus fruits, if taken regularly, would prevent that type of ailments. Their secret lies in the high concentration of vitamin C, which would play an effective protection against the cold.
To learn more and find out the truth about a controversial subject, we decided to scour the net in search of the origin of this myth. From his extensive research has emerged as are many published studies on the topic, the results in question. A primary source, dating back to the years ' 70, helps us explain the very origins of myth; This is the book published by Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling, in which are exposed the miraculous properties of vitamin C in preventing colds.
According to results of a recent research, dated 2007, vitamin C would not help prevent colds in individuals not subject to stress, which follow an adequate diet; in people prone to stress as well as in athletes, on the other hand, the intake of vitamin C help prevent colds of 50%.
To shed light on debated myth and uncover the truth, we decided to consult an expert opinion and rely on his enlightening explanation. It is thus addressed to Dr. Michelangelo Giampietro, surgeon specialist in sports medicine and nutrition science, which confirmed it as the theory of citrus fruits is reduced to a mere urban legend without foundation.
According to the expert, in fact, there are currently no scientific evidence that can prove the preventive effect of therapeutic and/or Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) on the common cold and the flu.
According to the doctor it can undoubtedly sustain as a healthy diet, balanced and varied diet and regular physical activity provide valuable support in the prevention of many diseases.