The Truth About What's Really In Airborne

Airborne is a dietary supplement that is intended to be used for immune support (via Verywell Health). Available in chewable or effervescent tablets, Airborne has long been touted as a cold and flu preventative — but can it really help protect you from getting sick?

While Airborne was originally advertised as a way to cure or prevent the common cold, this bold and controversial claim was challenged in a lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2008. This resulted in a $30 million settlement, which required Airborne to remove the claim from its packaging and replace it with one that referred to the product's potential immune-supportive effects.

Made with a wide variety of ingredients, Airborne contains important herbs and nutrients like zinc, magnesium, ginger, echinacea, manganese, and vitamins A, C, and E. While some of these ingredients may play role in supporting immunity, there is no evidence to suggest that Airborne can prevent you from getting a cold. Some studies on supplements like zinc, echinacea, and vitamin C have suggested that they may help boost your immune function and reduce the duration or severity of a cold, but they can't actually prevent them.

Luckily, there are plenty of other methods that can actually help you stave off a cold and prevent you from getting sick (via Healthline). For instance, one of the best ways to keep yourself healthy is to frequently wash your hands. Washing your hands with soap and warm water for a total of 20 seconds can help remove any potentially harmful bacteria lingering on your hands. If you don't have access to soap and water, you can always use hand sanitizer.

You should also try to avoid touching your face and make sure you wash your hands before you do. That's because germs and bacteria are most likely to enter your body through your mouth, nose, and eyes. Touching those areas while your hands are dirty or contaminated can lead to infection. Cleaning household objects and disinfecting surfaces is another great way to stay healthy. This can help remove germs from frequently touched surfaces and reduce your risk of catching a cold. It's also a good idea to avoid contact with someone suffering from a cold or any other contagious illness, if you can help it. Being around them while they're sick will only increase your risk of infection.