(Spoiler Alert: This information may differ substantially from what’s being published in mainstream media outlets.)

Colds, flu, and other mild acute respiratory illnesses, tend to be viral in origin, and are more common in the winter months due to several factors including weaker sunlight as one gets farther north or south of the equator, and a lower abundance of fresh local produce, which is naturally high in probiotics and antioxidants. In cold winter months people tend to spend much more time indoors in manmade environments, in closed buildings, under artificial lighting, and in recirculated (rather than fresh) air, tending to rely more on vitamin supplements and vitamin fortified foods which don’t provide the same benefits to the body or the microbiome as fresh whole vegetables and fruits.