When sick, the best drinks are hydrating fluids like water, herbal teas (ginger, chamomile), clear broths, and electrolyte drinks, often with honey and lemon to soothe throats, while avoiding dehydrating caffeine, alcohol, and sugary sodas. Warm liquids help ease congestion, and broth provides nutrients, making hydration crucial for recovery.
Best beverage for a cold: Water mixed with a sports drink.
“I often tell patients to mix a quarter-cup of Gatorade, Powerade or another electrolyte-rich drink into three-quarters cup of water,” says Dr. Sampino. “That gets you some salt and sugar if you're not eating, while still hydrating you.”
If you are being sick
Take frequent sips of fluids, through a straw may help. Always have a drink that contains calories rather than plain water, e.g. flavoured fizzy drinks, squashes and cordials, fruit juices or milk-based drinks. DO NOT use diet or low calorie drinks.
Electrolyte drinks.
If you're experiencing fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, drinks like sports drinks or coconut water can help restore lost electrolytes and keep your hydration levels balanced.
Clear soda like Sprite is also good because it helps replenish electrolytes that may have been lost during your illness. By introducing carbonation to an upset stomach, it helps to speed up the process of making you feel better. It's also a good cure for a hangover IMO.
Caffeine can make nausea worse. Instead, try clear sodas such as Sprite or ginger ale. Noncarbonated drinks including tea, apple juice, or sports drinks with electrolytes are even better.
Tips to stop you feeling sick
Symptoms of dehydration
Milk is more hydrating than water
The same can be said for oral rehydration solutions that are used to treat diarrhea. Those contain small amounts of sugar, as well as sodium and potassium, which can also help promote water retention in the body.
Whether its tea, warm water with lemon or broth, drinking warm liquids can be soothing, prevent dehydration and ease congestion. Avoid salty foods, alcohol, coffee and sugary drinks, which can be dehydrating. Ice chips are another simple way to stay hydrated and calm a scratchy throat. Gargle with salt water.
If you have a severe infection or are at high risk of complications from a flu infection, your healthcare professional may prescribe an antiviral medicine to treat the flu. These medicines can include oseltamivir (Tamiflu), baloxavir (Xofluza) and zanamivir (Relenza). You take oseltamivir and baloxavir by mouth.
Important to keep person who's sick hydrated and some glucose and fructose for energy. 7up is a popular way of imparting the glucose.
Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages. They increase fluid loss leading to dehydration and interfere with immune function,” Dr. Hodge says.
Cold remedies that work
Although there are limited studies to support the use of lemon as a cold virus curer, lemon juice has a number of antibacterial properties. Ginger provides a lovely warming flavour and has been used for medicinal purposes throughout history.
Drink water throughout the day, including at meals. Avoid soda, alcohol and caffeinated drinks. One way to make sure you're properly hydrated is to check your pee. If it's clear, pale or straw-colored, it's OK.
Heart-healthy drinks (other than water)
Up to 60% of the human adult body is water. According to Mitchell and others (1945), the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water. The skin contains 64% water, muscles and kidneys are 79%, and even the bones are watery: 31%.
Dehydration can exacerbate chronic muscle and joint pain, slow the rate of healing, and increase the chances of injury. Water helps hydrate discs between the vertebrae in your spine and prevents your tendons, ligaments, and muscles from becoming tight and stiff.
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Avoid greasy, fatty, spicy or strong smelling foods as they may make you feel worse. Have plain, bland foods such as potatoes, pasta or rice with plain chicken, fish, or cold cuts of meat, and try milky puddings, ice lollies or ice-creams. Salty foods like crisps, salted biscuits, cheese or soup may be easier to eat.