![]() ![]() Water, of course, but also tea, broth or soup. If you’re sick, but not hungry, you don’t have to force yourself to eat, but you should always drink plenty of fluids. When people are very ill in the hospital, doctors’ first response is to give them fluids. More important than food though, is fluid. When you’re under the weather, your body needs energy to bolster your immune system and fight off infection. Colds and flu are caused by viruses, and when you spend more time indoors, germs spread more readily which may be why we see higher rates of colds in the colder months of the year. In fact, when researchers took a close look at the issue they found that people living in Antarctica were no more likely to suffer from cold and flu than when the same group of people were living in those in warmer climes. People tend to get more viral illnesses when the weather turns colder, but not because of the wind chill. It also should not be taken daily because honey has sugar, so swallowing a teaspoon daily can lead to cavities. The catch: You can’t give honey to children less than 1 because it may contain spores of bacteria that can lead to infant botulism. Scientists believe the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of honey coat the throat, soothing rawness. In a study of children with upper respiratory infection, 1.5 teaspoons of honey decreased cough and improved sleep better than over the counter cough syrups. In fact, both the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend honey as a cough suppressant, not only because it works, but also because it gives you the greatest bang for your buck. True! Adding honey to your tea or swallowing a teaspoon when you have a hacking cough has scientific backing. While there is no cure for the common cold, chicken soup can help alleviate symptoms. Sipping any warm comforting soup helps soothe coughs, sore throats and inflammation, and provides needed fluids. The reality is, it doesn’t much matter which type of soup you choose. The hot liquid also helps soothe a sore throat. Chicken soup has been shown to reduce inflammation and thin nasal mucus. So while eating an apple a day may not keep the doctor away, increasing your fruit and vegetable intake is good for your health. The adage likely evolved from a desire to get people to eat more fruits and vegetables-at least three to five servings daily. They did, however, notice that apple eaters took fewer medications than those who didn’t get a daily dose of the fruit. When researchers pitted two groups of people against each other-those who reported eating an apple a day and those who didn’t-they found no difference in the number of doctor visits. ![]() While not true, fruits and vegetables are good for your health. ![]() Panchagnula sorts out fact from fiction for six of the most common health myths about cold and flu season. Others – like the persistent myth that a flu shot can cause flu – are flat-out false. “Some of these tales are grounded in truth, but don’t have the data required for scientific proof,” says Soumya Panchagnula, M.D., family medicine doctor at Henry Ford Health. Whether your trusted remedy is chicken soup for a cold, honey for a cough, or eating an apple a day to avoid getting sick, wouldn’t you like to know if there’s any merit behind it? When all the sniffling, sore throat, stuffy-head stuff shifts into high gear, Americans tend to fall back on old-school wisdom and home remedies in an attempt to prevent or treat symptoms. Winter is a breeding ground for cold, flu and other bugs. ![]()
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