Drinking plenty of water is essential to staying healthy, especially when fighting colds and flu; staying well-hydrated when sick is important, as dehydration can worsen the symptoms. Water also helps thin out mucus, easing congestion and making it easier for your body to expel it through coughing or sneezing. Additionally, warm water helps soothe sore throat muscles and can reduce inflammation.Staying hydrated keeps your organs working properly and boosts your immune system to help fight off the virus.
Can Drinking Water Fight Off The Cold And Flu?
Yes! Staying hydrated is an important way to help your body fight off sickness. When you’re sick, your immune system works harder than usual to fight off infection and viruses. It needs water to function at its best for it to work properly. Water helps flush toxins from the body, making it easier for the immune system to do its job. Additionally, water helps thin mucus so your body can more easily expel it, which can help clear up congestion.
How Drinking Water Can Fight Off The Cold And Flu?
- Water oxygenates your blood: Oxygen-rich blood helps your immune system fight the cold and flu viruses. When you stay hydrated, the oxygen in your body circulates more efficiently, which can help strengthen your immunity to infection.
- Water flushes out toxins: Proper hydration helps keep your organs functioning optimally and flush out any harmful toxins contributing to your illness. Drinking plenty of water can also help clear congestion in your nose and sinuses, making breathing easier.
- Water helps replace lost fluids: Cold and flu symptoms can cause dehydration due to increased perspiration, loss of appetite, and vomiting. Replacing these lost fluids is essential for keeping your body healthy and fighting infection.
- Water helps break up mucus: When you’re congested, drinking water can help thin out the mucus in your nasal and sinus passages. This makes it easier to expel any excess mucous carrying viruses and bacteria.
- Water will help to digest food better: Drinking plenty of water helps your body to digest food better. The amount can vary depending on the foods you eat, but in general it’s a good idea to drink eight glasses of water a day. This will ensure your body is hydrated and can process the food effectively.
- Your eyes and mouth will remain moist: Even when you are not drinking water, your body uses it to keep your eyes and mouth moist. Drinking ample water will help keep this moisture steady, thus preventing germs from entering through dry membranes. In addition, you will experience less irritation in the throat once moisture is maintained at an optimal level.
- Helps your body produce lymph: Drinking water helps produce lymph, which carries white blood cells and other immune system cells. These cells help fight off colds, flu, and other infections.
- Lowering fever: The cold and flu often come with a fever, which can cause side effects such as headaches. Drinking plenty of water helps to lower your body’s temperature naturally, allowing you to fight off the virus more effectively.
- Hydration helps you feel better: When you’re under the weather, drinking plenty of water can help reduce your symptoms. Staying hydrated helps loosen congestion in your lungs and sinuses, enabling mucus to move through your body more efficiently. This can help with various cold and flu symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, sore throat, and headache.
How To Prevent Dehydration During Cold And Flu?
- Water with lemon and honey: This is a classic remedy for cold and flu symptoms. Adding lemon juice to boiling water with honey can soothe sore throats, reduce congestion and provide fluids that the body needs when fighting off infections.
- Herbal teas: Herbal tea, like ginger or chamomile, can help boost the immune system and provide fluids. They can also reduce inflammation and promote relaxation.
- Drink soups: Drinking hot soup is also an excellent way to help you fight off the cold and flu. Soup can be packed with minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients that can help boost your immune system and provide hydration and energy.
How Much Water To Drink When Sick?
It is recommended to drink 8 – 12 glasses of water each day when you are feeling under the weather. This helps flush out toxins from your body and can help reduce the severity of cold and flu symptoms.
If you are experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, or other forms of fluid loss, it is important to drink even more water to replace the lost fluids.
Which Food Is Necessary To Fight Off Cold And Flue?
Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is essential for fighting colds and flu. Eating foods high in vitamins C, A, and E can help boost your immune system, while foods rich in zinc can also help reduce the duration of cold and flu symptoms. Eating fruits, vegetables, nuts, and other nutrient-rich foods can ensure you do all you can to stay healthy and fight illness. With lots of water daily, your immune system will be better equipped to fend off colds or flu.
FAQs
What Are the Early Signs of Dehydration?
Dehydration can cause physical symptoms, such as fatigue, dizziness, and headaches. If you experience these symptoms, staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids is essential. Other signs of dehydration include dark-colored urine, infrequent urination, and dry mouth.
Can someone catch a cold by drinking cold water?
Yes, drinking cold water can make you feel colder than usual, which can cause your body to become more susceptible to catching a cold or flu virus because the sudden change in temperature compromises your body’s natural defenses.
Can drink cold water cause flu?
No, drinking cold water does not cause the flu. However, it is essential to note that drinking sufficient water can help fight the cold and flu.
Conclusion
Drinking water can help fight off cold and flu symptoms. Staying hydrated boosts the immune system thins mucus, helps to flush toxins from the body, and speeds up recovery time. Not only does it directly impact the body’s ability to fight illness, but staying well-hydrated also helps keep your energy and mood up when you’re under the weather.
Meet Jeffrey B Roberts, your dedicated guide into the realm of water science and technology. As a hydro biologist with an insatiable curiosity, Jeffrey’s journey has been one of unraveling the mysteries of water systems and advocating for clean, safe water for all.
With an academic background steeped in the sciences, Jeffrey’s passion lies at the crossroads of science, technology, and nature. A deep fascination with plants and genetics has not only enriched their understanding of aquatic ecosystems but has also propelled them into the world of water softening solutions.
Believing that clean water is a basic human right, Jeffrey’s writing transcends the technicalities, making the intricate world of water softening accessible to all. Through their blog, they ardently share insights, tips, and breakthroughs, empowering readers to make informed decisions about their water quality.
Beyond his role as a prolific writer, Jeffrey is a respected figure in the hydronics industry education. With years of hands-on experience, they serve as an adjunct professor, nurturing the next generation of experts at the Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. His involvement on the Technical Advisory Board further cements their dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation in water technology.