Contracting a cold isn't the worst thing in the world, but it sure isn't pleasant. The sniffling, sneezing, and sore throat make life temporarily uncomfortable, and new research says that easing those symptoms could be as simple as hydrating with hot beverages.
It's hard to believe that it's brand new research, considering generations of caretakers have stood by this advice, but Cardiff University's Common Cold Centre claims it's the first scientific study of its kind. Thirty volunteers were given apple and blackcurrant drinks served at room temperature or hot, and the group experienced immediate relief from coughing, sore throat, chilliness, and tiredness. After 15 minutes, they noticed relief from a running nose and sneezing.
The study noted, "In conclusion, the results support the folklore that a hot tasty drink is a beneficial treatment for relief of most symptoms of common cold and flu." Make your beverages hot the next time you're sniffling your way through a cold — maybe you'll go through fewer tissues!
Fornarina
Robe Di Firenze
People Tree
I do this! And it works...for a really SHORT time!
I'm a drug fiend when it comes to colds. Advil, cough drops with benzocaine all the way!
1My family adds congac to Chamomile tea and it helps quite a bit. Also they are annoying in my family because they think you should not drink cold beverages in the first place during the winter. They say it dries your throat. Well my coca cola light has to be iced cold thank you very much.
2Funny you should post this now, since I have an obnoxious cold and am currently drinking ginger tea with honey and lemon. Here's hoping it helps!
3i always drink hot beverages every day, even in the summer and even if i don't have a cold, but I agree, drinking tea helps you feel better when you do have a cold. Honey, lemon, chammomile, mint or ginger tea are great.
4Hot tea, hot soup, and hot salsa. That's my go-to for when I get sick, and it works!
5My boyfriend has a cold right now and I'm giving him hot drinks!
6Thats tea-riffic!
7regardless if it's factually supported or if it's just a myth - it's worked for me, so i'm glad that there's something to substantiate it - not that i would have stopped my habits if there wasn't something really there.
8I'm also taking Marlovestar's advice and adding some bourbon to said tea (didn't have cognac).
9i happen to be doing this as we speak. :} ...or type or whatever.
10I always drink hot tea and eat hot soup when I have a stuffy nose because the steam from them loosens up the mucus and helps me breathe better.
11I also read or heard somewhere years ago (don't know how true it is) that you should drink green tea to prevent getting a cold, and white tea when you are actually sick because it has more antioxidants.
12I have found that eating hot chicken soup helps the best. I think the hot liquids and salt do it. Along with really hot showers to open up the nasal passages. And also giving my face a hot steam facial over the stove twice a day helps clean out my nasals and heals a bad cold in half the time. I swear by it!!!
13I also drink ALOT of hot tea everyday. Both black, green and white. I rarely ever get sick. I wonder if this is true and really does work.
14I drink tea, something like emergen-c (vitamins!) and maybe soup-- that usually works. Oh and lots of rest and sleep, and I take it easy on the exercise
15I always have a honey and lemon hot drink when I've got a cold. The steam really helps, the honey soothes your throat but overall it's all about staying as hydrated as possible, isn't it?
16My grandmother believes in whiskey, honey, and lemon heated up together.... it's disgusting! Hold your nose and down it, but it works like a charm!
17Whether it works or not, hot drinks always just feel better on your throat than cold drinks do when you're sick. My dad also swears by a teaspoonful of honey, straight up, for a sore throat. I do that, plus hot drinks, plus hot salt water gargle. Those are all pretty good remedies, in case anyone is sick!
18I'm trying to stave off a cold. So far I've had two cups of mint tea and one cup of green tea.
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