What to Drink When You Have a Cold (2024)

What to Drink When You Have a Cold (1)

When you're sick, you hear it over and over: "Get plenty of fluids.” And it’s true. Your body needs extra hydration when you’re trying to get well.

But what, exactly, should you put in your cup? Some drinks are great for easing symptoms, and others may make them worse.Keep these tips in mind when you’re picking what to sip.

Drinks That Help

  • Decaf tea. The heat can soothe sore throats, stuffy noses, chest congestion, and upset stomachs. Plus, a warm cup of tea is comforting when you’re feeling rough. If you choose one with herbs like ginger, your immune system may get a small boost, too. For an extra benefit, try adding a small dollop of honey to your cup: It can calm a cough and help you sleep.
  • Water with lemon. Hot or cold, it keeps you hydrated and loosens up stuffiness and congestion. Lemon is also high in vitamin C, which may make a cold slightly shorter if you get it regularly.
  • Soup. Clear soups and broths give you calories when you may not have much of an appetite. Some research shows they may help relieve inflammation in the body, which can relieve some of your symptoms. The warmth also helps break up mucus.
  • Ice chips or ice pops. True, these aren’t technically a beverage, but they have the same purpose: keeping you hydrated.

What You Don’t Need

These drinks won’t help you get over your cold or flu, and some could do more harm than good.

  • Sports drinks.They can help if you’re very dehydrated, but they don't really do much to make you feel better. Plus, they have a lot of sugar. Other drinks will help you hydrate without the extra sweet stuff.
  • Fruit juices.Juice may seem like a good idea, especially for kids, but like sports drinks, most have loads of added sugar. Citrus-based ones like orange juice can also aggravate sore throats. If it's all your child wants to drink, try adding a splash or two to a cup of water instead of a glassful of juice.
  • Coffee.If you’re going to sip a hot drink, might as well get your daily dose of caffeine in it, right? Wrong. Try to stick with water and nutrient-rich soups.
  • Ginger ale.While ginger in its natural form may have some cold and flu benefits, this carbonated, sugary version won't offer much relief. Soft drinks of any kind have very little of the nutrients and electrolytes you need to fight off sickness. Get your ginger in a mug of hot tea instead.
  • Alcohol. It dehydrates you and can make some symptoms worse, like nausea, headaches, and body aches. Booze can also make your body less able to handle infections.So save that hot toddy for when you’re feeling better.

Show Sources

Photo Credit: DragonImages / Getty Images

SOURCES:

Harvard Health: “Can everyday spices make you healthier?” “What you eat can fuel or cool inflammation, a key driver of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.”

CDC: “The flu: Caring for Someone Sick at Home.”

Mayo Clinic: “Can chicken soup cure a cold?” “Cold remedies: What works, what doesn’t, what can’t hurt,” “Honey: An effective cough remedy?”

HealthyChildren.org: “Fruit Juice and Your Child’s Diet.”

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: “Alcohol’s Effects on the Body,” “Influence of Alcohol and Gender on Immune Response.”

Chest: “Chicken Soup Inhibits Neutrophil Chemotaxis In Vitro.”

National Institutes of Health: “5 Tips: Natural Products for the Flu and Colds: What Does the Science Say?”

What to Drink When You Have a Cold (2024)

FAQs

What to Drink When You Have a Cold? ›

Warm liquids may hurt the throat less than cold beverages, so I recommend trying soups, broth or warm water with lemons. When you aren't feeling well, it is particularly important to avoid greasy, unhealthy, processed foods. Your body needs good nutrition to recuperate, so give it the fuel it needs to recover.

What drinks are good for a cold? ›

7 Drinks that Help You When You're Sick
  • Water.
  • Green Tea.
  • Lemon Water.
  • Ginger and Turmeric tea.
  • Kombucha.
  • Orange Juice.
  • Homemade Vegetable Broth.

What gets rid of a cold fast? ›

Here's a guide to what works and what to avoid.
  1. Stay hydrated. ...
  2. Gargle with salt water. ...
  3. Over-the-counter medications : Over-the-counter decongestants, antihistamines and pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can reduce some cold symptoms. ...
  4. Humidify the air .

What is the best liquid to drink when sick? ›

Water is one of the best fluids to consume to help you to stay hydrated when you're sick. The reason for this is that water doesn't contain any calories, sugar, or preservatives, which are things that can cause dehydration. Don't discount the power of a decaf or warm beverage that's low in caffeine.

What to not drink when you have a cold? ›

You're better off avoiding these. You need lots of liquids when you have a cold, but caffeine and alcohol are no-nos because they can dry you out. Of course, if you get a raging withdrawal headache without your morning coffee, by all means, have a small cup of joe. Or try a little caffeinated tea instead.

Is Gatorade good when sick? ›

Sports drinks, like “Gatorade”, can help to replace electrolytes that we may lose during intense exercise, extreme heat or when sick with nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Therefore, under these circ*mstances, sports drinks can be beneficial. The disadvantage of sports drinks it that they often contain added sugar.

Is Sprite good when sick? ›

Sprite may not be a good choice for replacing lost fluids when experiencing stomach flu. While some people may find that Sprite can help settle a nauseous stomach, the sugar content in the drink can worsen some symptoms of stomach flu, such as diarrhea. However, Sprite may be an option if other liquids are unpalatable.

What are the 5 stages of a cold? ›

The stages of a cold include the incubation period, appearance of symptoms, remission, and recovery. The common cold is a mild upper respiratory infection caused by viruses.

Does vitamin C help with colds? ›

Taking vitamin C every day to try to prevent colds won't protect most people from colds. It only slightly shortens the amount of time that they're ill. Starting to take vitamin C once you already have cold symptoms won't have any effect on your cold.

Does blowing your nose help get rid of a cold? ›

Blowing your nose can help relieve some of your symptoms. It can make it easier to breathe and can make you feel less congested. However, it probably won't make your cold resolve any faster. Plus, there's evidence to suggest that blowing your nose can sometimes be harmful.

How to nip a cold in the bud? ›

These remedies might help you feel better:
  1. Stay hydrated. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. ...
  2. Rest. Your body needs rest to heal.
  3. Soothe a sore throat. ...
  4. Combat stuffiness. ...
  5. Relieve pain. ...
  6. Sip warm liquids. ...
  7. Try honey. ...
  8. Add moisture to the air.

What juice helps fight a cold? ›

Out of some of the most commonly bought juices, including apple juice, orange juice, and cranberry juice, orange juice is a recommended option due to its high concentration of vitamin C compared with apple juice and cranberry juice.

What is the emergency drink when sick? ›

Emergen-C is a powdered supplement containing high doses of B vitamins, as well as vitamin C — reportedly to improve your immune system and energy levels. It comes in single-serving packets meant to be stirred into 4–6 ounces (118–177 ml) of water before consumption.

What stops a cold fast? ›

There is no cure for the common cold, but most people recover within ten days. You can help get rid of a cold and feel better faster by getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, and eating nutritious foods.

What can worsen a cold? ›

Don't make one of these common mistakes that can make your cold even worse.
  • Pretend You're Not Sick. It never works. ...
  • Sleep Too Little. Getting enough shut-eye is key for a healthy immune system, your body's defense against germs. ...
  • Get Stressed Out. ...
  • Drink Too Little. ...
  • Drink Alcohol. ...
  • Overuse Decongestant Sprays. ...
  • Smoke.
Feb 20, 2024

How to speed up recovery from a cold? ›

Do
  1. get plenty of rest.
  2. drink lots of fluid, such as water, to avoid dehydration.
  3. eat healthy food (it's common for small children to lose their appetite for a few days)
  4. gargle salt water to soothe a sore throat (not suitable for children)
  5. drink a hot lemon and honey drink to soothe a sore throat.

What juice is best for a cold? ›

Juices to Boost Your Immune System When Sick
  • Orange, grapefruit, other citrus.
  • Green apple, carrot, orange.
  • Beet, carrot, ginger, apple.
  • Tomato.
  • Kale, tomato, celery.
  • Strawberry and kiwi.
  • Strawberry and mango.
  • Watermelon mint.

What should I drink when I want something cold? ›

37 Cold Drinks to Stir up on a Hot Summer Day
  • 01 of 37. Watermelon-Mint Agua Fresca. ...
  • 02 of 37. Creamy Lemonade. ...
  • 03 of 37. Sparkling Cantaloupe Lemonade. ...
  • 04 of 37. Mango Smoothie. ...
  • 05 of 37. Peach Iced Tea. ...
  • 06 of 37. Tropical Creamsicle Smoothie. ...
  • 07 of 37. Sparkling Pineapple Ginger Ale. ...
  • 08 of 37. Kale Smoothie With Pineapple and Banana.
Apr 25, 2024

What drink is good for cough? ›

Drinking tea or warm lemon water mixed with honey is a time-honored way to soothe a sore throat. But honey alone may be an effective cough suppressant, too. In one study, children ages 1 to 5 with upper respiratory tract infections were given up to 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) of honey at bedtime.

Can soda help with a cold? ›

Drinks to Soothe a Cold

Staying hydrated will help loosen up your congestion and ease a cough. Because soda can make dehydration worse, it's best to thank Mom for her advice, but skip the 7UP and other sodas. Alcohol and coffee will also cause dehydration, so best to skip all the fun drinks for now.

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