Cold diet: What to eat or not to eat during a cold

There are certain food items that can help in speeding up the recovery period of cold in an individual:

Chicken soup: A tasty warming soup is ideal for the cold winters. A hot chicken soup not only calms your tastebuds but also acts as a remedy for upper respiratory tract infections. 

Studies have proved that chicken soup has the ability to reduce the flow of neutrophils (a type of white blood cells seen in blood during infection) in the body. It also acts as a mild anti-inflammatory agent. 

The aroma of hot chicken soup is sensed by the posterior nares of the nose, and the nutrients of the chicken help in increasing the flow of nasal mucus, thus clearing the stuffy nose.

Garlic: Garlic is a medicinal herb used for ages, not only enhancing the taste of food but is also therapeutic. Regular intake of garlic enhances the immune system and prevents catching a cold. 

Allicin is the sulfur-containing compound that gives garlic its typical smell and taste when freshly cut or crushed. Allicin has antimicrobial and anti-viral properties that help in fighting against viral infections like the common cold.

Cinnamon: Cinnamon is densely packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It relieves the signs of inflammation in the nasal passage and throat. The antioxidants in the cinnamon help in destroying the free radicals which usually damage vital cell structures and delay recovery. 

You can add a pinch of cinnamon to your cup of tea/coffee or you can also add it to your bowl of oats. Cinnamon oat cookies also taste delicious and help you fight the cold.

Hot tea: It is a well-known fact that a hot cup of tea helps in relieving cold and a sore throat. Tea helps in decreasing the thickness of the nasal mucus, easing the stuffy nose. Polyphenols in green tea are a reservoir of antioxidants, which help in faster recovery. Echinacea tea has also been associated with treating symptoms of a cold. Sipping on a cup of piping hot tea not only treats your congestion, but also provides hydration to the body.

Honey: Honey has plenty of medicinal properties. Studies have shown that honey suppresses cough in both young and old patients. It can act as an additional treatment for mucositis (ulceration of the membrane of the digestive tract), childhood cough, persistent post-infectious cough and after tonsillectomy (removal of tonsils). Honey also contains antimicrobial properties and is useful for preventing the progression of inflammation in the body. 

Ginger: Ginger has been used as a medicinal herb since ancient times, containing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which make it a valuable therapeutic agent. A hot cup of ginger tea can soothe a sore throat, coughing and provides relief for a runny nose.

Chilli peppers: This may sound a bit odd, but the consumption of chillies helps in recovering from a cold. Capsaicin in chilli peppers acts as a natural decongestant and thins out the mucus, thus allowing it to flow out in the case of a stuffy nose. Use of capsaicin powder in food also relieves cough allergies. Consuming too many chilli peppers, however, can have adverse effects on the stomach.

Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits like lemon, grapefruit, greek citron, lime, orange and tangerine are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. They don’t cure a cold completely, but the soft white layer on these fruits contain flavonoids that help in boosting the immune system and speed up recovery.

Yoghurt: Yoghurt is a probiotic (live bacterias and yeasts that improve gut health) and rich in protein, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin B. It helps in boosting the immune system, thus preventing the chances of getting sick. Studies have also shown that children who were given probiotics during an illness tend to recover quicker.

Avoiding certain food items during a cold can speed up the recovery process, and here are some of the things you should avoid in such situations:

Alcohol consumption: Alcohol causes dehydration in the body which can present in the form of a high fever. Drinking alcohol can also worsen chest congestion. Also, if you are taking any antibiotics for a throat inflammation, ingesting alcohol alongside it can lead to dire consequences.

Dairy products: You should avoid consumption of dairy items because dairy thickens the phlegm (thick, white mucus produced by the lungs), resulting in increased congestion. 

Oily and processed food: Oily and processed foods like cheese, sausages, rolls, pies, bacon and sausage can increase inflammation in the body and also increase congestion. You must avoid oily and processed food while suffering from a cold.