New Research Reveals That Zinc May Shorten Cold Duration by Two Days

A recent Cochrane review has discovered that zinc supplementation can reduce the duration of common cold symptoms by approximately two days.
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.