Last update
5/25/2025
Research Authors

Overview

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Moderately Effective
Based on 2 Researches
8
USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 490 Reviews
8.1
Supplement Facts
Serving Size:  1 Tablet
Amount Per Serving
%DV
Vitamin C (as Ascorbic Acid)
500 mg
556%
Rose Hips Powder (Rosa canina) (fruit)
40 mg

Top Medical Research Studies

7
Effectiveness of Vitamin C on Colds
We explored the effects of vitamin C on the common cold and pneumonia by examining a range of studies. Interestingly, research on animals suggests that vitamin C may have protective effects against infections. However, when it comes to preventing colds in the general population, taking more than 1 gram of vitamin C per day didn’t show significant benefits.

But there's a twist! Participants engaged in heavy physical activities saw their cold incidence reduced by half with vitamin C supplementation. Additionally, regular intake of 1 gram or more daily was linked to a 15% decrease in cold severity. While some therapeutic trials showed inconsistent results when vitamin C was taken after cold symptoms appeared, two studies did indicate that larger doses (6-8 grams per day) could effectively shorten the duration of colds compared to lower doses.

Our investigation also looked into pneumonia, but the studies were conducted in unique settings, such as a boarding school and military recruits. This makes it hard to generalize the findings to the wider population. Yet, some trials suggested benefits for pneumonia patients. Finally, the role of vitamin C in treating COVID-19 and sepsis remains unclear, with mixed results.

Given that vitamin C seems to alleviate symptoms and shorten the duration of colds, while being safe and affordable, it might be worth considering a dose of 6-8 grams per day to see if it helps at an individual level.
Read More
9
Vitamin C improves cold tolerance
We explored the effects of ascorbic acid, commonly known as vitamin C, on cold tolerance in tomato seedlings. In our study, we discovered that applying vitamin C significantly boosts the seedlings' ability to handle cold stress.

By enhancing the antioxidant defense system, vitamin C treatment increased the enzyme activity in the seedlings' leaves. Additionally, it raised levels of important compounds such as proline, sugar, and abscisic acid, all of which play crucial roles in plant stress responses.

Our observations showed that vitamin C also protects the photosynthesis system of tomato seedlings. This implies that it helps maintain chlorophyll function, which is critical for the plant's overall health, especially under cold conditions.

Moreover, we found that vitamin C treatments led to increased expression of genes linked to antioxidant enzymes and cold response mechanisms. Overall, our findings suggest that exogenous vitamin C is a beneficial approach to improve cold tolerance in tomatoes and may provide helpful insights for farmers looking to cultivate hardier varieties during colder months.
Read More

Most Useful Reviews

9
Invaluable during cold
194 people found this helpful
Vitamin C during the cold season is essential! Unfortunately, you need to consume a lot of tangerines and oranges to achieve the required dose, increasing the risk of citrus allergies. I purchase numerous products from this brand, and I am pleased with this vitamin C—my second purchase. With 250 tablets per jar, it’s quite affordable and lasting. Rosehip in the ingredients also serves as an excellent antioxidant. We take one tablet daily and increase to two during illness; they really do help prevent colds. Highly recommend!
Read More
9
Effective remedy
7 people found this helpful
Just a wonderful vitamin C. I drink it during a cold; it helps a lot!
Read More
9
Effective against cold
3 people found this helpful
Vitamin C and rose hips come in a large jar with 250 chewable tablets that are tasty and sour. I love taking them at the first sign of a cold, as it helps the cold to pass much faster. I take them morning and evening, and during this period, I also use echinacea capsules. Highly recommend!
Read More

Medical Researches

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Moderately Effective
Based on 2 Researches
8
  • All Researches
9
Vitamin C improves cold tolerance
We explored the effects of ascorbic acid, commonly known as vitamin C, on cold tolerance in tomato seedlings. In our study, we discovered that applying vitamin C significantly boosts the seedlings' ability to handle cold stress.

By enhancing the antioxidant defense system, vitamin C treatment increased the enzyme activity in the seedlings' leaves. Additionally, it raised levels of important compounds such as proline, sugar, and abscisic acid, all of which play crucial roles in plant stress responses.

Our observations showed that vitamin C also protects the photosynthesis system of tomato seedlings. This implies that it helps maintain chlorophyll function, which is critical for the plant's overall health, especially under cold conditions.

Moreover, we found that vitamin C treatments led to increased expression of genes linked to antioxidant enzymes and cold response mechanisms. Overall, our findings suggest that exogenous vitamin C is a beneficial approach to improve cold tolerance in tomatoes and may provide helpful insights for farmers looking to cultivate hardier varieties during colder months.
Read More
7
Effectiveness of Vitamin C on Colds
We explored the effects of vitamin C on the common cold and pneumonia by examining a range of studies. Interestingly, research on animals suggests that vitamin C may have protective effects against infections. However, when it comes to preventing colds in the general population, taking more than 1 gram of vitamin C per day didn’t show significant benefits.

But there's a twist! Participants engaged in heavy physical activities saw their cold incidence reduced by half with vitamin C supplementation. Additionally, regular intake of 1 gram or more daily was linked to a 15% decrease in cold severity. While some therapeutic trials showed inconsistent results when vitamin C was taken after cold symptoms appeared, two studies did indicate that larger doses (6-8 grams per day) could effectively shorten the duration of colds compared to lower doses.

Our investigation also looked into pneumonia, but the studies were conducted in unique settings, such as a boarding school and military recruits. This makes it hard to generalize the findings to the wider population. Yet, some trials suggested benefits for pneumonia patients. Finally, the role of vitamin C in treating COVID-19 and sepsis remains unclear, with mixed results.

Given that vitamin C seems to alleviate symptoms and shorten the duration of colds, while being safe and affordable, it might be worth considering a dose of 6-8 grams per day to see if it helps at an individual level.
Read More

User Reviews

USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 490 Reviews
8.1
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
9
Invaluable during cold
194 people found this helpful
Vitamin C during the cold season is essential! Unfortunately, you need to consume a lot of tangerines and oranges to achieve the required dose, increasing the risk of citrus allergies. I purchase numerous products from this brand, and I am pleased with this vitamin C—my second purchase. With 250 tablets per jar, it’s quite affordable and lasting. Rosehip in the ingredients also serves as an excellent antioxidant. We take one tablet daily and increase to two during illness; they really do help prevent colds. Highly recommend!
Read More
9
Effective remedy
7 people found this helpful
Just a wonderful vitamin C. I drink it during a cold; it helps a lot!
Read More
9
Effective against cold
3 people found this helpful
Vitamin C and rose hips come in a large jar with 250 chewable tablets that are tasty and sour. I love taking them at the first sign of a cold, as it helps the cold to pass much faster. I take them morning and evening, and during this period, I also use echinacea capsules. Highly recommend!
Read More
9
Year-round use
3 people found this helpful
I absolutely adore this vitamin! I take it daily throughout the year, with breaks no longer than a month. I’ve forgotten how a cold feels since my relatives take a loading dose of four tablets at the first signs, and it helps tremendously. Highly recommended with perfect price-quality!
Read More
9
Prevents ARVI
3 people found this helpful
I gave it four stars as it isn’t in Ester-C form. However, it's a good working product that saved our family from colds and ARVI all winter. At the first sign of illness, we start taking one or two pills per day for a few days, and we avoid getting sick.
Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

9
Effective against cold
3 people found this helpful
Vitamin C and rose hips come in a large jar with 250 chewable tablets that are tasty and sour. I love taking them at the first sign of a cold, as it helps the cold to pass much faster. I take them morning and evening, and during this period, I also use echinacea capsules. Highly recommend!
9
Quick sore throat relief
1 people found this helpful
Whenever I or a family member experiences a scratchy throat (indicating a cold), we take a Now C-500 tablet with rose hips, and the discomfort disappears within hours. My family has now joined in purchasing this same product, and we will continue to do so.
10
Effective cold treatment
At the first sign of a cold, I increase my intake of vitamin C to 3000 mg per day for three days, reducing it to 2000 mg for the next three days. Surprisingly, this scheme works! The illness recedes without the need for antivirals or antibiotics. It helps my body cope with the virus attack, but it's crucial to divide the intake into three doses to avoid harming my stomach.
9
Year-round use
3 people found this helpful
I absolutely adore this vitamin! I take it daily throughout the year, with breaks no longer than a month. I’ve forgotten how a cold feels since my relatives take a loading dose of four tablets at the first signs, and it helps tremendously. Highly recommended with perfect price-quality!
10
Helps recover quickly
Perfectly I take this vitamin C at the first sign of a cold, along with vitamin D and zinc. It always helps to boost my immunity and prevents getting any worse. If a cold does occur, this remedy will certainly aid in my recovery. However, please note that vitamin C shouldn't be taken continuously, as it can lead to copper deficiency. I highly recommend it; I've since ordered a second can for my mother.
10
COVID-19 support
Great Vitamin C for a reasonable price! I take it daily after meals. When I sense a cold, I triple the dose, and it alleviates the cold. It helped me significantly during and after COVID-19.
7
Effectiveness of Vitamin C on Colds
We explored the effects of vitamin C on the common cold and pneumonia by examining a range of studies. Interestingly, research on animals suggests that vitamin C may have protective effects against infections. However, when it comes to preventing colds in the general population, taking more than 1 gram of vitamin C per day didn’t show significant benefits.

But there's a twist! Participants engaged in heavy physical activities saw their cold incidence reduced by half with vitamin C supplementation. Additionally, regular intake of 1 gram or more daily was linked to a 15% decrease in cold severity. While some therapeutic trials showed inconsistent results when vitamin C was taken after cold symptoms appeared, two studies did indicate that larger doses (6-8 grams per day) could effectively shorten the duration of colds compared to lower doses.

Our investigation also looked into pneumonia, but the studies were conducted in unique settings, such as a boarding school and military recruits. This makes it hard to generalize the findings to the wider population. Yet, some trials suggested benefits for pneumonia patients. Finally, the role of vitamin C in treating COVID-19 and sepsis remains unclear, with mixed results.

Given that vitamin C seems to alleviate symptoms and shorten the duration of colds, while being safe and affordable, it might be worth considering a dose of 6-8 grams per day to see if it helps at an individual level.

References

  1. Hemilä H, Chalker E. Vitamin C for the common cold and pneumonia. Pol Arch Intern Med. 2025;135. 10.20452/pamw.16926
  2. Wang X, Ran C, Fu Y, Han L, Yang X, et al. Application of Exogenous Ascorbic Acid Enhances Cold Tolerance in Tomato Seedlings through Molecular and Physiological Responses. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25. 10.3390/ijms251810093
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