Hot Drinks Help Fight Common Cold: Study

If you’re fighting a cold this winter, wash your hands often, rest and drink lots of fluids – hot fluids, that is.

New research from Cardiff University’s aptly-named Common Cold Centre has found that a simple hot drink can help relieve symptoms brought on by the ubiquitous virus.

“It is surprising that this is the first scientific research on the benefit of a hot drink for treating cold and flu symptoms,” noted Professor Ronald Eccles of the south Wales university.

“With temperatures falling and Christmas just round the corner, cold viruses love this time of year. Having a bottle of fruit cordial in the cupboard and making a hot drink could help fight off the symptoms of festive cold and flu. The big advantage of this type of treatment is that it is cheap as well as safe and effective.”

The study, published in the December 2008 issue of the journal Rhinology, found a hot cordial apple and blackcurrant drink helped ease coughs, runny noses, sore throats and sneezing in 30 volunteers.

Researchers also pointed out the treatment is a much more affordable and safe than modern drugs, which can have side effects.

Here are some cold remedies that work and some that don’t, courtesy of the Mayo Clinic:

What works

• Water and other fluids. You can’t flush a cold out of your system, but drinking plenty of liquids can help. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. Avoid alcohol, coffee and caffeinated sodas, which make dehydration worse. 
• Salt water. A saltwater gargle – 1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in an 8-ounce glass of warm water – can temporarily relieve a sore or scratchy throat.
• Saline nasal sprays. Over-the-counter saline nasal sprays combat stuffiness and congestion. Unlike nasal decongestants, saline sprays don’t lead to a rebound effect – a worsening of symptoms when the medication is discontinued – and most are safe and nonirritating, even for children. 
• Chicken soup. First, it acts as an anti-inflammatory by inhibiting the movement of neutrophils – immune system cells that participate in the body’s inflammatory response. Second, it temporarily speeds up the movement of mucus through the nose, helping relieve congestion and limiting the amount of time viruses are in contact with the nose lining.  
• Over-the-counter cold medications. Nonprescription decongestants and pain relievers offer some symptom relief, but they won’t prevent a cold or shorten its duration, and most have some side effects. If used for more than a few days, they can actually make symptoms worse.
• Humidity. Cold viruses thrive in dry conditions – another reason why colds are more common in winter. Dry air also dries the mucous membranes, causing a stuffy nose and scratchy throat.

What doesn’t work

• Antibiotics. These destroy bacteria, but they’re no help against cold viruses. Avoid asking your doctor for antibiotics for a cold or using old antibiotics you have on hand. 
• Antihistamines. Some studies have suggested minimal reduction in sneezing and nasal discharge with sedating antihistamines. However, results are conflicting and the benefits may not outweigh the side effects. 
• Over-the-counter cough syrups. Some contain ingredients that may relieve coughing, but the amounts are too small to do much good and may actually be harmful for children. Try soothing your throat with warm lemon water and honey and humidifying the air in your house. Avoid giving honey to infants.