Jax writers spot is having a break.

I am moving house in a week

and will be offline for up to 4 weeks

Look out for new articles

in the new year

Starve a fever Feed a cold?

As winter approaches and temperatures drop, the sneezes and coughs heard in the classroom and workplaces are increasing. It’s the time of the year again, when colds and flu are prevalent. The common cold can be caused by any one of 200 different viruses, with symptoms such as sore throats, a runny or blocked nose, coughs, breathlessness and headaches and fever. Prevention is always better than cure, and by eating healthily and providing ourselves with all the nutrients we need, our bodies are more able to fight off these highly contagious bugs.

‘Starve a fever, feed a cold’ is a saying we are all familiar with, but how true is it? Although the saying was used as far back as 1500, there seems to be no conclusive agreement about where it came from. It may have simply come about because when you have a fever you often don’t feel like eating, and when you have a cold you can still have an appetite. Feeding a cold does not mean eating lots, as eating big meals and processed foods can take vital energy to digest, energy which would be better used to fight infections. Experts generally agree that whether you have a fever or a cold, rest and drinking lots of fluids is the most important course of action, however if you do have an appetite then eating moderately and healthily may help your body fight the infection.

Nature provides a treasure chest of foods with healing and immune boosting properties. The link between nutrition and health is well documented; a healthy diet can provide the body with the resources it needs to fight infection. Nutrients such as the vitamins A, C and E, and zinc are all important in the fight against colds and flu. If you have a cold but still have an appetite then picking certain foods can help with the healing process.

Foods

Fruits and soups
Fruits and vegetables are high in vitamin C and antioxidants which can help the immune system fight infections. If you don’t have an appetite then drinking fruit or vegetable juices can be a good way of topping up on your vitamin C. Many experts believe a high intake of vitamin C can indeed shorten the duration of a cold. A traditional drink of ‘honey and lemon’ is especially useful for respiratory tract infections. Lemon has twice as much vitamin C as oranges, and also contains B vitamins which are vital for energy. Chicken soup has also been promoted as being effective in the fight against colds. Chicken has mild antibiotic properties, and has been found to reduce inflammation, as well as helping to break up the mucus during a cold.

Garlic
Garlic can provide an excellent boost to the immune system, with its anti-bacterial properties. Garlic contains several useful compounds including allicin which works as a decongestant, and is one of the plant kingdoms most potent antibiotics. Onions share many of the same therapeutic properties as garlic.

Ginger
Ginger has pain relieving, antiviral and antiseptic properties. It can be drunk as a tea or freshly grated ginger root can be added to soups or smoothies, for treating colds, sore throats and inflammation of mucus membranes. Ginger can also help reduce pain and fever, and has a mild sedative effect that can encourage rest. Try adding ginger to hot honey and lemon.

Foods rich in Zinc
Zinc increases the production of white blood cells which fight infection. Zinc can be found in steak, brown rice, lentils and beans.

Herbs

Echinacea
Echinacea has been used by American Indians for hundreds of years. There is a common belief that Echinacea is an immune stimulant and therefore should not be taken long term, however much research has been done to suggest it is actually an ‘immunomodulator’ which improves the efficiency of the immune system. Echinacea improves the way the immune system recognise pathogens (micro-organisms that carry disease), and helps the body respond more rapidly to them. As Echinacea improves the whole process of recognising and dealing with bugs, it is an extremely effective herb to use to speed up recovery time during an illness. It can also be taken over the winter or during periods of high stress to keep your immune system on alert.

Sage
Sage has been used traditionally for soothing sore throats, due its antiseptic and anti-bacterial qualities.

Cinnamon and Cloves
Cinnamon and cloves are both antiseptic as well as being a tonic and stimulant. They warm the whole system and help to fight the tiredness that often accompanies colds.

Lemon balm
Useful for fevers; lemon balm tea can promote sweating and help the body eliminate toxins.

Foods to avoid

Alcohol
Although it might be quite tempting to make yourself a hot toddy, it is probably better the resist the urge. Alcohol appears to impair the body’s ability to wipe out cells carrying the cold virus. On top of this it affects the absorption of vitamins and minerals needed to fight against the infection.

Dairy products
Studies have shown diary products can increase mucus in the upper respiratory tract, so should be avoided especially is you are ‘bunged up’

Refined carbohydrates
Refined carbohydrates can increase the burden on the immune system. White blood cells are needed for the body to digest them, and therefore these cells are not available to fight infections.


In conclusion ‘feeding a cold’ and picking nutritious foods can certainly help in the battle against colds. Increasing your intake of Vitamin C, for example, can shorten the duration of a bug. Ultimately you need to listen to your body, if you want to eat, do, and if you don’t rest and drink plenty of fluids. However ‘starve a fever’ does not have as much credibility, as you can feed a fever with the drinks you pick. Choosing fruit juices or certain herbal teas can certainly help in the fight against fever. Lemon balm tea can be especially useful for people with fever as it promotes sweating. Think of nutritious foods as part of your cold/fever armour, and you’ll be ready to do battle whenever illness strikes.

“Let food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food”
Hippocrates

Please note: This article is not intended as advice, I am not medically qualified, however I have been interested in nutrition and alternative remedies for around 20 years, and I have done a lot of research into this area of interest.

From now on articles on

Jax Writers Spot

will be posted fortnightly

This will allow me the time I need to research and work on my book

I hope you will still join me every fortnight to read my articles.