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Zinc lozenges for colds — the evidence
A Cochrane review found zinc taken within 24 hours of the first symptoms shortens a cold by roughly a day in healthy adults, at the cost of a bad taste and some nausea. The effect is dose- and timing-dependent, and the lozenge form matters — tablets swallowed whole do not touch the throat where the virus is replicating.
Lo que dice la evidencia
Verdict: Some evidence. A Cochrane review found zinc taken within 24 hours of the first symptoms shortens a cold by roughly a day in healthy adults, at the cost of a bad taste and some nausea. The effect is dose- and timing-dependent, and the lozenge form matters — tablets swallowed whole do not touch the throat where the virus is replicating.
Qué hacer de verdad
If you use it: start at the very first symptom, use lozenges (typically 75-90 mg of zinc per day, split through the day), and stop after a few days — long-term high-dose zinc causes copper deficiency and can blunt smell. Skip it if it makes you nauseous; the benefit is modest.
Source: Cochrane — zinc for the common cold (CD001364) · checked 2026-09-07
Referencia de autocuidado, no consejo médico. Niños, adultos mayores, embarazo y cualquiera con una condición de larga duración deberían tener un umbral más bajo para llamar a un clínico. Síntomas graves o que empeoran, dificultad para respirar o confusión: busca ayuda médica.