Possibly, but there's a catch.
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| | A few weeks from now, I expect to become a walking commercial for antihistamine medications. Sneezing, watery eyes, itchy mouth and throat, the works. I've tried every over-the-counter remedy available, but maybe I've been looking for a remedy in the wrong place. Could the contents of my fruit bowl help take the edge off the symptoms?
It turns out vitamin C doesn't just support your immune system in the ways we all know about. It may also reduce the amount of histamine that triggers allergy symptoms in the first place. | | | | | | | Let's get into it,
Tim Snaith
Newsletter Editor, Healthline |  | | Written by Tim Snaith
March 26, 2026 • 3 min read | | | | | |  | | | | Q: | Can vitamin C really help with allergy symptoms? | | | A: | We think of vitamin C as an immune booster, but it also acts as a natural antihistamine. It works in a different way from the medications you find in the pharmacy. Rather than blocking histamine receptors, vitamin C reduces the amount of histamine your body produces in the first place.
This could be good news if, like me, you deal with seasonal or environmental allergies triggered by pollen or mold that leave you sneezing, congested, and reaching for tissues.
A 2018 study found that an intravenous dose of 7.5 grams of vitamin C reduced allergy symptoms in over 97% of participants. Its antioxidant properties may also help protect lung function by shielding cells from oxidative damage, which could benefit people with allergy-related asthma.
But the benefits from oral supplements are much less clear. A 2025 narrative review found the strongest evidence for vitamin C in people with asthma, but concluded that results for allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis were much more mixed. In other words, swallowing a supplement may not pack the same punch as the IV doses in that 2018 study.
The evidence for oral vitamin C and seasonal allergies is still thin, but it's a low-risk supplement with minimal chance of buildup, since your body doesn't make or store it. If you're curious, ask your doctor about options like vitamin IV therapy. Just don't ditch the antihistamines for a glass of cold, freshly squeezed orange juice just yet. | | | Want to learn more about food, diets, cooking, or some other nutrition subject? Let us know at nutritionedition@healthline.com and we'll look into it for you! (Heads up, we may use your response in an upcoming newsletter.) |  RECIPE PICKPomegranate and Pear Chicken SaladThis quick, colorful, and tasty recipe works for lunch or dinner, with only 30 minutes of prep time.GET THE RECIPE → | | | Sponsored by | |  | | | | | Fuel for your body and gut | | | | |  | | Seed DM-02™ Daily Multivitamin | | Our bodies and our guts have a lot of nutritional requirements. What do they really need — or what could be missing? If you're not sure, Seed's new DM-02™ Daily Multivitamin can help you become unstuck. One capsule can help you meet 100% of your Daily Value of 20 essential vitamins and minerals, and support your immune system as well as healthy aging. Unlike some supplements, this one is made specifically with your microbiome in mind and with bioavailable nutrients your body can actually use. Consider letting Seed help you fill any nutritional gaps with its precise dosing. | | | | Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Now's vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Now are owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | | | | What we're digesting | | 🧬 Is schizophrenia hereditary? Genetics plays a role, but no single gene is responsible. | | 💬 Talking to your partner about Peyronie's disease. Starting the conversation is often the hardest part. | | 😴 What losing sleep does to your body. The effects go far beyond feeling groggy. | | 🧒 The best vitamins for kids in 2026. A guide to the best options when their diet might not cover all the bases. | | | |   | | | Until next time, |  | Take care of yourself, and we'll see
you again soon! | | | | |  | | This edition was powered by | | Scottish heather honey.️ | | | | |
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