It never fails. You turn on the TV, start a new podcast, open a web browser, or walk through the supermarket, and you’re bombarded with ads pushing quick fixes to help keep you going in a demanding world: an immune boost here, a hangover cure there, a supplement for your hair or skin, or a little something to help you relax at night. What’s the evidence that these drink mixes, gummies, probiotics, and powders deliver on their promises? We took a look.
“10 ways to boost your metabolism.” “9 foods that lift your mood.” ”15 supplements to boost your immune system.” People love lists. So do websites eager to grab eyeballs. Only one problem: Much of the advice isn’t based on solid science. Here are some examples.
In the largest and best study on echinacea (co-authored by an employee of an echinacea maker), researchers randomly assigned 359 people to take echinacea or a placebo at the first sign of cold symptoms. The echinacea takers took 10,200 milligrams the first day and 5,100 mg a day for the next four days.
“Kills 99.99% of germs,” boasts the label of Germ-X hand sanitizer. But are most of those germs harmless? The FDA has asked companies for more evidence.
There’s no shortage of supplements touting their “immune boosting” benefits. Here’s the evidence for colds and flu (not Covid-19) on some of the most popular.
