Want to Protect Your Kids from Respiratory Infections? Try Vitamin C.

Kids are especially susceptible to respiratory infections. Tons of studies have established vitamin C’s ability to protect against vitamin C in adults. But not much research has been done on vitamin C for kids. Until now.

The common cold, sore throat, sinusitis, pneumonia and bronchitis are all respiratory infections. Because kids have immature immune systems, they are especially susceptible. 14% of all deaths in kids under 5 are due to pneumonia.

This new study suggests that maintaining optimal levels of vitamin C can help.

The large study included 1,344 young people between the ages of 6 and 19. The results showed that higher levels of vitamin C were associated with a lower risk of respiratory infection. Compared to the group with the lowest levels of vitamin C, those with the highest had a significant 50% lower risk of respiratory infection.

The researchers conclude that the results “underscore the significance of maintaining optimal vitamin C levels.” They say the results “suggest that vitamin C supplementation may be potentially used for the prevention and treatment of RIs among children and adolescents.”

Front Nutr. 2025 Jun 5;12:1601218.

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