Living the student life it's quite normal for me to miss the odd meal here and there, not to mention go without more than 4 hours sleep per night for a couple of days. As such during the cold months of the year I tend to become quite susceptible to the odd cold here and there. There’s nothing worse than being all stuffed up and chesty when you’re wanting to go out and carry on with life as normal but being unable to do so. This year my mum bought me some Boots Feel the Difference Winter Care Capsules to try and ward off any colds or sore throats during the winter months.

The capsules come in an orange and gold cardboard box which is quite festive and warm looking in colour. “Winter Care” is imprinted in bold on the top of the box which easily suggests what they’re for. Within the box are 2 foil packets each containing 15 capsules so that’s 30 in each box. The capsules are a dark brown/black colour and each just over 1 cm long and about 0.4cm wide in a cylinder shape. The instructions provided instruct you to take one tablet per day, preferably with or after food to aid digestion of the tablet itself. You need to take the tablet with water and as such I can’t really comment on the taste of the capsule itself.

So why take the capsules?

They basically act as an extra boost for your immune system during the colder months although they can, of course, be taken all year round. Their particular effects include helping to support the immune system and also to maintain flexible joints.

So what do they contain?

Vitamin A (100% RDA) – been found to enhance the performance of the immune system, helps produce white blood cells to fight off infections, also acts as an antioxidant.

Vitamin D (100% RDA) – been proven that it is essential to keep bones and joints healthy, suppresses the auto-immune response to ensure that the immune system functions properly.

Vitamin E (100% RDA) – been found that high doses can help fight off colds, is a key antioxidant, protects the body from many chronic disorders, effectiveness is increased by presence of Vitamin C.

Vitamin C (100% RDA) – been proven to strengthen the immune system and decrease the incidence of common colds, makes the white blood cells more active in fighting off disease.

Zinc (100% RDA) – been found to be involved in white blood cell production, when zinc levels are low so are white blood cells, along with vitamin C it has antiviral activity against several viruses that cause the common cold.

Cod Liver Oil (500mg) – been proven to enhance the immune system, to maintain a healthy heart and circulation, maintains healthy bones and skin.

Ginger Extract (6mg) – been found to boost the immune system, alleviates symptoms of cold and flu.
Selenium (55mg) – been proven to be an antioxidant that works well with other antioxidants to reduce the symptoms of influenza type illnesses.

I’d thoroughly recommend these capsules for during the winter months, especially if you’re vulnerable to the odd cold here and there. I know some people disagree with taking vitamin supplements and suggest a simple balanced diet will suffice but I like to take them to ensure I get that extra little boost. I’ve luckily (touch wood) escaped with only 1 bad cold this winter whereas usually I’d have had at least 3 or 4 now especially during the festive period! I’ll be carrying on taking them for a couple of months yet as I personally do think they’ve helped me this winter.

They’re priced at £4.99 for a box and are available from the shelves near the pharmacy point at any Boots store. With regard to value for money a box lasts exactly a month (give or take a day) so you’re effectively paying roughly 16.6p a day for the capsule. They very often have 3 for 2 offers on these so it’s worth buying them as you’ll be getting 3 months supply for only £10 then.

They're getting 4 stars off me, minus 1 for the price - I am a student after all!

* RDA – Recommended Daily Allowance