Looking for the best foods to cure a cold? Itching to know what to eat when you have a cold and cough? There are certain fruits good for cold and cough, and we will also teach you about the best comfort food when sick in today’s health-conscious blog.
Cure Colds Fast
In our day and age, when a simple bout with flu or colds can spell disaster, we must know how to take care of ourselves. Cough, colds, and flu are usually passed on through droplet transmission and by touching surfaces that sick people have touched. When you touch a contaminated surface that someone with flu or colds has touched, you may eventually touch your eyes, nose, and mouth, and that’s how viruses get in.
Experts recommend that people perform conscientious handwashing every day with water and antibacterial soap. Staying home when you are sick also reduces your contact with others and prevents the spread of cough, cold, and flu viruses. And finally, avoid touching your face (make this a habit) because human pathogens usually get in through this route.
How do you cure a cold fast?
While there’s still a lot of research to be done, some physicians recommend plain honey for easing the symptoms of cough (this is a fast remedy if you’re suffering from coughs and sniffles) and of course, the use of menthol inhalants, gels and products like Vicks do ease nasal congestion associated with respiratory unrest linked to various diseases, not just cough, colds, and flu.
A person who has colds/flu should get plenty of rest (seven to eight hours of sleep is ideal for adults) and plenty of fluids, too. Plain water is essential for flushing out the pathogens and keeping your throat moist. A moist throat is less attractive to the development of pathogens, which is why generally speaking, physicians advise that people drink 8 US cups of water per day.
Does drinking hot water help get rid of a cold?
There is no scientific proof that hot water is better in getting rid of colds than cold water. If you have a sore throat from coughing and sneezing, physicians will recommend cold water to help soothe and comfort an inflamed throat. The use of hot water for colds is more of a folk or traditional remedy that doesn’t have a lot of scientific research behind it. However, if you want to try it, there is some proof that hot water can help relieve nasal congestion. The “hot toddy,” or a small shot of whiskey, can also be used to relieve nasal congestion, but do not overdo it as alcohol weakens the immune system.
Now, in addition to staying hydrated, experts also recommend getting your daily RDA of trace nutrients linked to boosting your immunity. The most important of these trace nutrients are vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, and vitamin E.
You can take either a multivitamin that contains these nutrients, or you can just have fruits, vegetables, and healthy whole meals cooked at home. The advantage of course, of getting them from your meals, is they are immediately bioavailable, and therefore, the body can easily absorb and use them.
Cure Colds With Food
Chicken Soup
Who would have thought that this age-old remedy for colds and almost anything that ails the body works? Chicken soup helps relieve many symptoms of colds, including nasal congestion, throat pain, and general body malaise.
There are several reasons why it works as a natural remedy. The first reason is that chicken soup is easy to eat and digest, which means the sick person doesn’t have to exert a lot of energy to extract and absorb the needed nutrients.
Chicken soup can easily deliver a good quantity of carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and protein. Chicken soup also naturally possesses electrolytes that help establish equilibrium in the body.
People who have colds and flu need better hydration to beat the infection more quickly.
Experts have traced the main benefit to the compound cysteine, which helps break down viruses and bacteria while limiting inflammation. Cysteine has also been known to degrade nasal congestions, leading to better breathing, overall.
Broths and Soups
Broths and soups can offer the same benefits as chicken soup, and they can be remade if the person is vegetarian/vegan, or if he is simply unable to consume anything with solid food parts.
Broths are clear concoctions that can still deliver electrolytes, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Sipping steaming broth can help reduce nasal congestion and swelling because of the heat. If you can’t eat anything else while sick, be sure you are sipping broths throughout the day, so you do not become malnourished and dehydrated.
Garlic
Considered as one of the oldest superfoods, garlic has antiviral and antibacterial properties and is supportive of various organs, including the heart, lungs, and liver. Eating raw garlic may help boost your immunity and protect you from worsening infections. Adding garlic to broths and soups will help you acquire its benefits if you can’t eat it raw.
Coconut Water
Taken from a freshly cracked coconut, coconut water is miracle water from nature that’s easy to drink, sweet, and low on sugar. We love the fact that coconut water can deliver electrolytes and reasonable amounts of simple carbohydrates to patients. They also improve kidney function and encourage urination, which is part of the detoxification of the body when you are sick. Pick coconut water for rehydration for that additional calorie and electrolyte boost, and you will feel better in no time.
Tea
Whether it is oolong, black, green, or matcha, hot tea can help reduce viruses and bacteria in the throat, and it’s also filled with polyphenols or natural antioxidants that protect cells from premature death. In-vitro studies have shown that different types of tea can help inhibit the growth of disease-causing pathogens.
