8 foods that should not be consumed if you have a cold
To eat a bowl of chicken soup when you have a fever and runny nose — a great idea, but just as some foods help to get better quickly, there are products that can have the opposite effect.
And the most insulting — almost all of them non-obvious. Below is the list of those things, which you should refrain, when cold.
These products are best to enjoy when you recover.
Candy
For anybody not a secret that candy is full of sugar, which should be avoided, especially when sick. The fact that sugar can cause inflammation, and it reduces the immune system, weakening the leukocytes (white blood cells), which are responsible for fighting infection.
Dairy products can thicken mucus, which will lead to the fact that harmful allergens will linger longer in the body. Whole milk, in particular, also stimulates the production of phlegm. When a person is healthy, it is good and useful because it acts as a protective barrier. However, during diseases in our body increases the production of this mucus, and milk only hurt.
Ice cream
Do not eat ice cream to soothe a sore throat — so you will delay your recovery. Most types of ice cream are high in saturated fats that cause inflammation. In addition, this cold dessert is a lot of sugar — another ingredient, which, as we said above, enhances inflammation.
Coffee
As you know, coffee is not only refreshing effect, but also dehydrates the body, which during a cold can worsen muscle pain. The immune system works most efficiently when well hydrated. Since caffeine is a diuretic, then a hot Cup of this beverage it is better to skip.
Chili
The capsaicin in the chili becomes an irritant to the nasal passage, causing the production of mucus, so if one of the symptoms of your common cold — runny nose, it is recommended to temporarily refrain from spicy products.
Contrary to popular belief, vodka with pepper (and any alcohol) does not accelerate recovery, but rather slows it down. The impact of alcohol — stress factor that weakens the body trying to mobilize to fight infection.
Bananas
Bananas are very useful, but it is better to refrain until the cold symptoms because they can cause histamine release, amplifying the cold. In addition, bananas are high in sugar content, which can lead to inflammation and reduce the effectiveness of the immune response for the disease.
Pasta
Refined carbohydrates, like sugar, can increase inflammation and impair the ability of the immune system to resist colds. So pasta for dinner while sick is not the best.