What is the truth about feeding a cold and starving a fever? Do these old remedies actually work. Discover the facts and myths behind this age-old advice.

Feeding a Cold and Starving a Fever: The Origins of the Adage

The adage “feed a cold, starve a fever” has been around for centuries, dating back to the Middle Ages. The idea behind this advice was that illnesses caused by low temperatures, such as a cold, needed to be “fueled” by eating, while illnesses caused by high temperatures, such as a fever, needed to be “cooled down” by refraining from eating.

Modern Medical Advice: Feed a Cold, Feed a Fever

Today, most doctors and years of research on colds and flu suggest that the old adage is not entirely accurate. Colds and flu are caused by viruses, for which there is no cure. However, proper nutrition and hydration can support the immune system as it fights the illness.

In fact, the adage should perhaps be “feed a cold, feed a fever,” as bodies fighting illness need energy, and eating healthy food can help provide that. Eating can also help the body generate heat, although other methods of keeping warm, like wearing extra layers, can also be effective.

The Importance of Staying Hydrated

While eating is important, the most crucial factor in combating both colds and flu is staying hydrated. Fever, vomiting, and diarrhea can all lead to dehydration, which can cause the mucus in the nose, throat, and lungs to dry up, leading to clogged sinuses and respiratory issues.

Replacing fluids is critical to helping the body battle the virus. Water, fruit juices, and electrolyte beverages can all help keep the body properly hydrated.

Remedies to Ease Cold and Flu Symptoms

While there is no cure for the common cold or the flu, there are some remedies that can help ease symptoms and make you feel more comfortable:

• Frequent handwashing: One of the best ways to avoid catching a cold or flu is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Sipping warm liquids: Drinking warm liquids like chicken soup, hot tea, or warm apple juice can be soothing and help ease congestion.
• Gargling salt water: Gargling with salt water can help get rid of thick mucus at the back of the throat and ease stuffy ears.

The Bottom Line: Listen to Your Body

When it comes to colds and flu, the best advice is to listen to your body and provide it with the nourishment and hydration it needs to fight the illness. While the old adage of “feed a cold, starve a fever” may not be entirely accurate, the key is to focus on staying hydrated and supporting your immune system through proper nutrition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does feeding a cold and starving a fever actually work?

No, the old adage of “feed a cold, starve a fever” is not entirely accurate. Colds and flu are caused by viruses, and the body needs proper nutrition and hydration to support the immune system as it fights the illness.

What should I eat when I have a cold or flu?

Eating healthy, nutrient-rich foods can help support the body’s immune system when fighting a cold or flu. Foods like chicken soup, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can provide the necessary energy and nutrients.

Is it important to stay hydrated when sick with a cold or flu?

Yes, staying hydrated is crucial when battling a cold or flu. Fever, vomiting, and diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which can make symptoms worse. Drinking plenty of water, fruit juices, and electrolyte-rich beverages is essential.

What are some home remedies that can help ease cold and flu symptoms?

Some effective home remedies for cold and flu symptoms include frequent handwashing, sipping warm liquids like tea or soup, and gargling with salt water to soothe a sore throat.

How long does a cold or flu typically last?

Once you’ve contracted a cold or the flu, it should run its course in 5 to 10 days. While there is no cure, proper rest, nutrition, and hydration can help manage symptoms and support the body’s recovery.

Can I prevent catching a cold or flu?

While you can’t completely prevent catching a cold or flu, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk, such as frequent handwashing, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, and getting a flu vaccine (if recommended by your healthcare provider).

When should I see a doctor for a cold or flu?

In most cases, colds and flu can be managed at home with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter remedies. However, you should seek medical attention if you experience severe symptoms, such as high fever, difficulty breathing, or persistent vomiting.

The Truth About Feeding a Cold and Starving a Fever

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Nick Dragon






Nov 7, 2016

“Feed a cold, starve a fever” is an adage that’s been around for centuries. The idea most likely originated during the Middle Ages when people believed there were two kinds of illnesses. The illnesses caused by low temperatures, such as a cold, needed to be fueled, so eating was recommended. Illnesses caused by high temperatures, such as a fever, needed to be cooled down, so refraining from eating was thought to deprive the furnace of energy.

Nowadays, most doctors and years of research into the cold and flu say there’s only one tried-and-true treatment for colds and flu — plenty of rest and fluids. That’s because colds and flu are caused by viruses, for which there is no cure. But you can support your immune system as it struggles to prevail through proper nutrition and, even more importantly, proper hydration­.

If anything, the adage should be, “feed a cold, feed a fever,” because bodies fighting illness need energy, so eating healthy food helps. Eating food when you have a cold can also help the body generate heat, although other methods of keeping warm, like wearing an extra layer of clothes or wrapping yourself in a blanket, do the trick as well.

There are many reasons you shouldn’t try to starve a fever. Fever is part of the immune system’s attempt to combat the virus. Fever raises body temperature, which increases metabolism and burns more calories. That’s one reason why taking in calories becomes important.

What’s far more crucial in combating both colds and the flu is staying hydrated. Fever dehydrates the body, in part through increased sweating from the elevated temperature. Vomiting and diarrhea, two common symptoms of the flu, also quickly dehydrate the body. Dehydration makes the mucus in the nose, throat, and lungs dry up, which can lead to clogged sinuses and respiratory tubes. When mucus hardens it becomes more difficult to cough, which is the body’s way of trying to expel mucus and the germs it contains.

Replacing fluids is critical to helping the body battle the virus. Water works just fine, as do fruit juices and electrolyte beverages. If you feel nauseated, try taking small sips of liquids, as gulps might cause you to throw up. You can be sure you’re getting enough fluids by looking at the color of your urine, which should be pale yellow, almost colorless.

Of course, when you’re sick, you may not feel much like drinking and even less like eating. Loss of appetite is common, and might be part of the body’s attempt to focus its energy on pounding the pathogens. Don’t force yourself to eat, but make sure to take in plenty of fluids. However, you should avoid coffee, caffeinated sodas, and alcohol, because caffeine and alcohol both contribute to dehydration.

Once you’ve contracted a cold or the flu, it should run its course in five to 10 days. And while nothing can cure a cold or the flu, some remedies can ease your symptoms and keep you from feeling so miserable.

Wash your hands

For starters, frequent hand washing is one of the best things you can do to avoid catching whatever bugs might be going around. The key to making it count is using lots of soapy water and scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. If you’re in a public restroom, use a paper towel instead of your bare hand when you touch the door handle. At home, you should regularly disinfect doorknobs with Lysol spray or disinfectant wipes. And don’t forget about your germy computer keyboard and mobile phone. It’s a good idea to regularly run a disinfectant wipe over those keys and your phone.

Sip warm liquids

Taking in warm liquids such as chicken soup, hot tea (with lemon or honey), or warm apple juice can be soothing and the warm vapor rising from the bowl or cup can ease congestion by increasing mucus flow. Chicken soup is everyone’s favorite, but it’s not a miracle cure. It does provide needed calories and salt, as well as some nutritional benefits. Chicken soup is also generally easy on the stomach.

Soothe a sore throat

Gargling with salt water helps get rid of the thick mucus that can collect at the back of the throat, especially after you’ve been lying down. It can also help ease stuffy ears. Use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in an eight-ounce glass of warm water. Please note that children younger than 6 years old will be unlikely to be able to gargle properly.

You can also try ice chips, sore throat sprays, lozenges, or hard candy. Don’t give lozenges or hard candy to children younger than 3 to 4 years old because they can choke on them.

Combat a stuffy nose

Over-the-counter saline nasal drops and sprays can help relieve stuffiness and congestion. In infants, experts recommend putting several saline drops into one nostril, then gently suctioning that nostril with a bulb syringe. Saline nasal sprays may be used in older children.

Another option to ease stuffiness is nasal irrigation with a neti pot, where you pour salt water into one nostril and let it run out the other, clearing out your nasal passages. You can buy pre-made saline solution or make it by mixing salt and lukewarm sterile or distilled water. Neti pots are available in health food stores and drugstores.

Add moisture to the air

Breathing moist air helps ease nasal congestion and sore throat pain. One good strategy is to indulge in a steamy shower several times a day — or just turn on the shower and sit in the bathroom for a few minutes, inhaling the steam. Another way to ease congestion is to use a steam vaporizer or a humidifier. Be sure to change the water daily and clean the unit often in order to be sure it’s free of mold and mildew.

Another quick way to open clogged airways is to make a “tent.” Bring a pot of water to a boil and remove it from the heat. Drape a towel over your head, close your eyes, and lean over the water under the “tent,” breathing deeply through your nose for 30 seconds. You may also want to add a drop or two of peppermint or eucalyptus oil to the water for extra phlegm-busting power. Repeat this as often as necessary to ease congestion.

Relieve Pain

For adults and children older than 5, over-the-counter decongestants, antihistamines, and pain relievers might relieve some symptoms. As far as pain relievers go, children six months or younger should only be given acetaminophen. For children older than six months, either acetaminophen or ibuprofen are appropriate. Adults can take acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin. Please note that none of these over-the-counter medications will prevent a cold or shorten its duration, and most have some side-effects.

Another great way to relieve headache or sinus pain is to place a warm cloth over your forehead and nose.

Rest

Your body needs time to heal, so listen to it. If your body’s urging you to spend all day in bed, then do so. Don’t press on with daily chores in the face of severe cold or flu symptoms. And don’t skimp on nighttime sleep. Good sleep cycles help the immune system work well, so it’s important to get a full eight hours of sleep each night.

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Last Updated:
10/27/2017

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Do You Feed a Cold and Starve a Fever?

The popular advice to “feed a cold, starve a fever” is probably something you’ve heard time and again when nursing a cold or the flu. But is it advice you should heed?

The answer is no. In actuality, you should feed both a cold and a fever — and starve neither, says Mark A. Moyad, MD, MPH, Jenkins/Pokempner director of preventive and alternative medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor.

“When you have a cold or a fever, your immune system is fighting off an infection, and eating less during the early stages of an infection can actually be dangerous,” he explains. “The body requires large amounts of energy to create and assemble the large number of immune cells necessary to fight the enemy. Good nutrition and calories provide this energy.”

That’s especially true for people with less robust immune systems (such as very young children, the elderly, and people with chronic conditions, such as diabetes or cancer, or autoimmune disorders, like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis), who may suffer more serious colds and infections if they take in too few high-quality nutrients, Dr. Moyad says.

Does that mean you should force yourself to eat big meals when you’re sick? Again, the answer is no. There’s no need to eat more or less than usual, according to Harvard Health Publishing, but what you do eat should be rich in essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C and zinc.

The Age-Old Cold-and-Flu Adage That’s Actually True

Eating a bowl of chicken soup really can help you feel better when you’re battling an upper respiratory tract infection, research has shown. One classic University of Nebraska Medical Center study published in the journal Chest suggests that traditional chicken soup made with vegetables contains many beneficial substances that help ease inflammation and other cold and flu symptoms.

Another study, published in the journal Rhinology, showed that consuming warm liquids “provided immediate and sustained relief from symptoms of runny nose, cough, sneezing, sore throat, chilliness, and tiredness,” according to the researchers. And even earlier research in Chest found that eating hot chicken soup made it easier to blow germ-carrying mucus out of your nose.

More importantly, soup is hydrating, and taking in lots of water, juices, or broth is crucial for preventing dehydration when you have a fever, says Soma Mandal, MD, an internist with the Summit Medical Group in New Jersey. “If you’re dehydrated on top of feeling sick, that will make you feel worse,” she says.

One reason why is that during a fever, your body needs to use more fluids than usual to maintain different bodily functions, Dr. Mandal explains. For example, she says, “when you have an upper respiratory infection, the virus is replicating in the cells, which causes tissue damage. Hydration helps repair those cells.”

You also lose a lot of water as your body tries to release heat through sweat. So the higher the fever, the greater the risk of dehydration becomes. “If you have a high fever or a fever lasting more than two to three days, you will need even more fluids to keep from getting dehydrated,” notes family medicine physician Curt Gingrich, MD, chief operating officer of OhioHealth Marion General Hospital in Marion, Ohio.

“In addition to making sure you’re drinking plenty of fluids during an illness,” Dr. Gingrich adds, “be sure to also get plenty of rest.”

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Feeding a cold, starving a fever: fact or fiction?

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“Cold, fever.”

It is likely that you have received this advice or may have given it. After all, this folk wisdom has existed for several centuries. But is it? Does this advice really matter?

In this article, we will look at the main ways to treat colds, flu and fevers. And we’ll take a look at whether fasting is actually a useful strategy to help you get back on your feet when you’re having a fever.

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How did this proverb start?

Several websites, including Smithsonian. com and Scientific American, let’s say this can be traced back to 1574. Apparently, at the time, a dictionary compiler named John Whitals wrote that “fasting is an excellent remedy for fever.”

Wherever it comes from, it is firmly rooted in popular culture and is popular advice today.

Is that right?

Appetite is often lost during illness. Sometimes food doesn’t seem to help, but sometimes it can make you feel a lot weaker. So, do you really have to starve your fever?

Not according to medical experts at Cedars-Sinai who call it fantasy. Cold or flu, your immune system needs energy and nutrients to do its job, so it’s important to eat and drink enough.

Harvard Medical School he agrees, saying there is no need to eat more or less than usual if you have a cold or the flu. Both institutions emphasize the importance of fluids.

Colds and flu are usually caused by a viral infection, but fever can occur for a number of reasons, including:

• bacterial infection
• inflammatory conditions
• side effects of certain drugs and vaccines
• dehydration or heat stroke

So the next question is: Does it matter what causes fever? Are there any types of fever for which you should fast?

A 2002 study suggests that eating nutrient-rich soup may help fight viral infections, and fasting may help the immune system fight bacterial infections. It is worth noting that this was a small study involving only six young healthy men. The authors of the study acknowledged the need for more research.

U 2016 studyResearchers also found that fasting may help fight bacterial but not viral infections. However, this study was conducted in mice, not humans.

There just wasn’t enough research to “starve the fever” in humans to know for sure. This is further complicated by the fact that there are so many causes of fever.

So it’s probably best to eat when your stomach can handle it and snack lightly when it can’t. Either way, it’s important to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

What is the best treatment for cold, flu and fever symptoms?

Colds and flu are caused by viruses and share common symptoms such as nasal congestion and body aches. Flu symptoms are more severe and include fever.

Cold treatment

A cold should go away, but there are some things you can do to help relieve the symptoms.

• Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate you.
• If you smoke, try to quit until your head clears up. Stay away from smoking if you smoke.
• Use a humidifier to humidify the air.
• Keep eating healthy.

You can choose from over -the -counter drugs, such as:

• Nesteroid anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain and pain, such as Ibuprofen (Advili, Motrin), Nenvlsen (Alevation) or aspirin
• Anti -proceedings or antihistamine for cleaning the head
• cough medicine to relieve cough symptoms
• throat lozenges to help soothe sore, scratchy throat

Take these medicines according to package directions. If you have any doubts about mixing over-the-counter drugs or their interactions with other drugs, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If needed, your doctor may prescribe stronger medicines to help control your cough and nasal congestion. Antibiotics do nothing for colds because they don’t work on viruses.

Treating the flu

Compared to the common cold, the flu usually takes a lot more away from you, especially when you have a fever. You can try the same self-harm measures as for a cold, plus:

• Talk to your doctor if you’re at risk for complications from a weakened immune system or a condition like asthma. heart disease, or diabetes.
• Take antivirals if prescribed.
• Get a good rest. Do not go to work or school until your temperature has been normal for 24 hours.

Since influenza is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not help. The exception is when influenza complications lead to a secondary bacterial infection.

Even if you don’t have much of an appetite, you need energy to fight the flu. You don’t have to eat as much as you normally would, but it’s important to choose healthy foods.

If you have nausea and vomiting, try some soup and dry crackers until it goes away. Vomiting and diarrhea can get worse if you drink fruit juices, so stick to water until your stomach gets stronger.

Treating fever

If you have a high fever, your immune system is fighting an infection. Subfebrile temperature can go away on its own in a few days.

For fever:

• Drink water, juice or soup.
• Eat when you feel hungry and your stomach can handle it.
• Avoid overwiring. Although you feel cold due to a fever, excessive bloating can raise your body temperature.
• Get a good rest.
• Take an over-the-counter NSAID.

If you have a fever that lasts more than a few days, see your doctor. Whether it’s the flu or not, you may need more than home remedies.

When should I see a doctor?

Most people do not need to see a doctor because of a cold or mild flu. Call your doctor if symptoms persist for more than a week and show no improvement, or if symptoms get worse.

Call your doctor if your temperature is 103°C or higher, or if you have a fever:

• severe headache, sensitivity to light
• neck stiffness or pain when you tilt your head forward
• new or worsening skin rash
• persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, or pain when urinating
• trouble breathing or chest pain
• confusion, convulsions, or convulsions

Essence

Research has yet to confirm the age-old adage “feed the cold, starve the fever. ” One thing we know for sure: when you’re sick, it’s extremely important to stay hydrated.

We also know that your body needs nutritional support to fight disease. So, if you have a fever and have not lost your appetite, do not deprive yourself. Try to focus on eating foods that will give your body the nutrients it needs to heal.

If you have any doubts about what to do about a fever, talk to your doctor.

Diet for colds – What should be the diet for colds and flu?

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– Flu – Diet for colds

What should you eat and drink?

A sick person should not only observe bed rest and take medications, he should also eat right. What should you eat with flu and colds to get back on your feet as soon as possible? And how effective is such a diet?

According to naturopathic doctors who advocate the use of non-drug methods in the treatment, nutrition during a cold can significantly affect a person’s recovery: if you eat the right food, the disease will recede sooner, if you eat the wrong food, the condition of the body can worsen even more.

How to compensate for fluid loss during colds and flu?

Let’s start with what you should drink to support a weakened body. Usually, harmful bacteria and viruses accumulate in the throat and nasal cavity. In a sick person, the mucous membranes are inflamed and dry, and therefore even this first protective barrier of the body does not function as expected. If you increase the humidity of the mucous membranes, they can again trap bacteria and block their harmful effects.

The best solution is a drink made from filtered water and a few orange slices. It contains useful vitamin C, plus the general tone and mood of the sick person will definitely rise.

With a sore throat, it is better to drink slightly warm water with honey and lemon juice. Such a drink is not only good for immunity, but also allows you to get rid of some of the viral cells and soothe the throat mucosa. Honey for colds is a very effective remedy, especially if used correctly.

Nutrition for health: what to eat with the flu

Now let’s talk about nutrition during the flu and colds. A weakened body at this time requires especially careful care, so it is temporarily worth abandoning “heavy” meat and fish dishes. The same applies to everything sweet and fried. Never eat fast food when you are sick! On the other hand, a wise organism often itself signals its needs by the loss of appetite. Therefore, if you don’t want to eat, don’t force yourself.

Light meals, however, during a cold are usually accepted by the body with a bang. Chicken soup is one of the most popular and, at the same time, really the most effective dishes for a sick person. Numerous scientific studies have proven its beneficial effect on stuffy nose and swollen throat: it reduces the number of neutrophils – a form of white blood cells – that cause the characteristic signs of inflammation in the nasopharynx.

Therefore, the more a person with a cold eats chicken soup, the healthier and more cheerful he will feel. We will make a reservation right away, it is worth eating often and a little bit. You should not take our words literally and eat liters of soup at a time.

Do not forget about another popular product, which is a plant immunostimulant – garlic. It contains a substance (allicin), which effectively fights bacteria, viruses and fungi attacking the body. If the taste of garlic is not to the liking of a cold, you can cut the slices into small pieces to swallow them without chewing. In addition, place a plate of chopped garlic in the room where the sick person is located – this will disinfect the air and prevent pathogenic bacteria and viruses from re-entering the nasopharynx when breathing.

Even people who are not fans of spices are advised to remember spices and spicy Indian herbs during a cold. Some of them (coriander, cinnamon, ginger) greatly alleviate the patient’s condition, as they stimulate sweating, and in addition, most spices have a narrowing effect on blood vessels, alleviating the condition of a stuffy nose and swollen throat.

Which of the foods is more harmful to recovery?

As already mentioned, sweets in the diet of a patient with flu and colds should be absent. The reason for this is the effect of sugar on leukocytes – blood cells that perform the functions of destroying pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Under the influence of sweets eaten, these cells become inert, stop fighting the disease and let the healing process take its course. The result of this will be the loss of precious time, during which the harmful pathogens of influenza and colds will get stronger and multiply.

As for the supposedly primordially Russian remedy for the prevention of the disease – 50 grams of vodka – it should be noted that any alcohol affects the increase in the excretion of fluid from the body. This situation only harms the sick, because a dehydrated body recovers longer.

Your task during an illness is to provide the best possible cold with water, and alcohol in this case is not at all a help. The same goes for coffee and fruit juices. Drink berry or herbal fruit drinks without adding sugar – they will fill the body with the necessary fluid and will not affect the activity of leukocytes.

More unconventional recipes

When a cold is just making itself felt, try using black elderberry extract as an assistant in the fight against it. This truly miraculous remedy can be purchased at a pharmacy and consumed during an illness, adding to tea along with lemon and honey.

The effectiveness of black elderberry extract has been scientifically proven in Israel: a group of subjects with flu who included this berry in their diet began to recover on the second day after the first serious symptoms! The second group, using only traditional medicinal methods of treatment, felt the beginning of recovery only on the fifth day.