Food & Nutrition Archive

Health Tip:

Zinc no match for common cold

Since 1984, zinc has been studied, and now marketed, as a weapon against the common cold, but the reviews always have been mixed.

Recently, researchers conducted a review of 105 studies to determine if the popular over the counter zinc lozenges, nasal sprays or nasal gels had any clinical effects.

Of the 105 studies, only four met the strict criteria for valid scientific design. Of those four, only one study showed a small positive effect of zinc nasal gel on cold symptoms. The other three showed no benefits from nasal sprays or lozenges.

In fact, some of the zinc nasal sprays have been associated with partial or permanent loss of smell (anosmia).

This cold season, the cheapest and most proven weapon against the common cold is not to catch it at all, by washing your hands frequently and properly, and keeping your hands away from your own eyes, nose and mouth.