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The Best Food to Eat When You Have a Cold
The common cold is a viral infection of one of more than 100 viruses of the upper respiratory tract, according to MayoClinic.com 12. There is no cure for the common cold 2. Medications used to treat common cold symptoms simply alleviate typical symptoms, such as nasal congestion, fever and body chills, but they do not shorten the length of the cold 2. The "Reader’s Digest" magazine website recommends modifying the diet during a cold to help support the body’s immune system. Talk with your doctor before modifying your diet to treat the common cold 2.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Common Cold Symptoms
The common cold needs to be diagnosed by a medical doctor 2. Do not self-diagnose or treat, simply based on symptoms. Common cold symptoms include:
- an itchy throat
- watery eyes
- sneezing
- runny nose
- coughing
- mild fever
- chills
- a minor headache 2
MayoClinic.com recommends that if a fever increases above 100.5 F, a doctor should be consulted 1.
Foods to Incorporate
Foods That Help the Common Cold
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"Reader’s Digest" recommends drinking orange juice on a daily basis to increase vitamin C intake. Vitamin C may shorten the duration of the common cold 2. Incorporating fish, chicken, turkey, oatmeal and bananas all help to protect white-cell producing organs. Certain foods have high levels of anti-inflammatory properties, such as apples, tomato sauce and cranberries. MayoClinic.com recommends increasing liquid intake, such as water and fruit juices 1. Herbal teas and other hot liquids will help to keep mucus secretions thin and expelled from the body.
Foods to Avoid
Avoid foods that can dehydrate the body and increase mucus production. Eliminate alcohol and caffeinated beverages while you have symptoms of the common cold 2. These beverages can deplete the body of its water supply, leading to dehydration and increased nasal congestion. Avoid highly refined foods that are made with refined sugars and flours.
- Avoid foods that can dehydrate the body and increase mucus production.
- These beverages can deplete the body of its water supply, leading to dehydration and increased nasal congestion.
Chicken Soup Consideration
A Fever, Headache and Muscle Aches
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MedlinePlus recommends eating chicken soup to help alleviate some common cold symptoms 2. Chicken soup has been proven as an effective treatment for common cold symptoms 2. Research reported by MayoClinic.com states that chicken soup helps to inhibit neutrophils, which cause inflammation 1. Chicken soup also thins mucus in the nose, helping to move excessive mucus from the sinuses. The heat from the soup melts the mucus, much like placing lard in a hot frying pan.
Prevention
The common cold is prevented by consistent hand washing, disinfecting commonly used items and avoiding people that appear to be sick 2. MayoClinic.com recommends keeping children home from school or daycare when they are diagnosed with the common cold 12.
Related Articles
References
- MayoClinic.com: Common Cold
- MedlinePlus: Common Cold
- American Lung Association. (2019). Facts About The Common Cold.
- Eccles R. Acute cooling of the body surface and the common cold. Rhinology. 2002 Sep;40(3):109-14.
- Johnson C, Eccles R. Acute cooling of the feet and the onset of common cold symptoms. Fam Pract. 2005 Dec;22(6):608-13.
- Fashner J, Ericson K, Werner S. Treatment of the Common Cold in Children and Adults. Am Fam Physician. 2012 Jul 15;86(2):153-59.
- AlBalawi ZH, Othman SS, Alfaleh J. Intranasal ipratropium bromide for the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Jun 19;(6):CD008231. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008231.pub3
- FDA. (2018). Use Caution When Giving Cough and Cold Products to Kids.
- Poolsup N, Suthisisang C, Prathanturarug S, Asawamekin A, Chanchaereon U. Andrographis paniculata in the symptomatic treatment of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection: systematic review of randomized controlled trials. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2004 Feb;29(1):37-45.
- Lizogub VG, Riley DS, Heger M. Efficacy of a pelargonium sidoides preparation in patients with the common cold: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Explore (NY). 2007 Nov-Dec;3(6):573-84.
- Paul IM, Beiler J, McMonagle A, Shaffer ML, Duda L, Berlin CM Jr. Effect of honey, dextromethorphan, and no treatment on nocturnal cough and sleep quality for coughing children and their parents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2007 Dec;161(12):1140-6.
- Hemila H, Chalker E. Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Jan 31;(1):CD000980. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000980.pub4
- Karsch-Volk M, Barrett B, Kiefer D, Bauer R, Ardjomand-Woelkart K, Linde K. Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Feb 20;(2):CD000530. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000530.pub3
- Sexton DJ, McClain MT. (2019). The common cold in adults: Treatment and prevention. Hirsch MS, Aronson MD, eds. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate Inc.
Writer Bio
Diane Marks started her writing career in 2010 and has been in health care administration for more than 30 years. She holds a registered nurse license from Citizens General Hospital School of Nursing, a Bachelor of Arts in health care education from California University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Science in health administration from the University of Pittsburgh.