Vitamin C has been found to combat a respiratory condition sometimes called exercise-induced asthma — where narrowing of the airways that occurs during or after a workout causes cough, wheezing, and the shortness of breath.
Lead researcher Harri Hemila from the University of Helsinki, Finland, noted exercise-induced asthma strikes about 10 percent of the population, and can cut respiration by 10 percent or more. Up to 50 percent of athletes who compete in winter sports experience the condition.
Dr. Hemila's conclusions are based on a new review of three studies that indicated vitamin C reduced the drop in respiration caused by exercise by half.
Dr. Hemila suggested the findings indicate physically active people test vitamin C on an individual basis if they have respiratory symptoms such as cough associated with exercise.