title: Reduction of common cold symptoms by encapsulated juice powder concentrate of fruits and vegetables: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: Dietary supplements have been suggested in the prevention of the common cold, but previous investigations have been inconsistent. The present study was designed to determine the preventive effect of a dietary supplement from fruits and vegetables on common cold symptoms. In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, healthcare professionals (mainly nursing staff aged 18-65 years) from a university hospital in Berlin, Germany, were randomised to four capsules of dietary supplement (Juice Plus+®) or matching placebo daily for 8 months, including a 2-month run-in period. The number of days with moderate or severe common cold symptoms within 6 months (primary outcome) was assessed by diary self-reports. We determined means and 95 % CI, and differences between the two groups were analysed by ANOVA. A total of 529 subjects were included into the primary analysis (Juice Plus+®: 263, placebo: 266). The mean age of the participants was 39·9 (sd 10·3) years, and 80 % of the participants were female. The mean number of days with moderate or severe common cold symptoms was 7·6 (95 % CI 6·5, 8·8) in the Juice Plus+® group and 9·5 (8·4, 10·6) in the placebo group (P = 0·023). The mean number of total days with any common cold symptoms was similar in the Juice Plus+® and in the placebo groups (29·4 (25·8, 33·0) v. 30·7 (27·1, 34·3), P = 0·616). Intake of a dietary supplement from fruits and vegetables was associated with a 20 % reduction of moderate or severe common cold symptom days in healthcare professionals particularly exposed to patient contact.
authors: Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Centre, Luisenstrasse 57, 10098 Berlin, Germany. stephanie.roll@charite.de
authors: Stephanie
authors: S
authors: Roll
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Nocon
authors: Stefan N
authors: SN
authors: Willich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003139:Common Cold / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057985:Multi-Ingredient Cold, Flu, and Allergy Medications / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011208:Powders; D014675:Vegetables
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D057985:Multi-Ingredient Cold, Flu, and Allergy Medications; D028321:Plant Preparations; D011208:Powders