Is it possible to drink coffee when you have a cold?
There is an opinion that you should not drink coffee when you have a cold. This is because caffeine increases the number of heart beats, thereby causing tachycardia. The body, weakened by viruses, experiences agitation, which makes the person feel worse.
The drink has a dehydrating effect, which is undesirable during a cold. As you know, during illness you need to drink as much fluid as possible, herbal tea or water. But on the other hand, thanks to the diuretic properties of the Brazilian potion, the human body is cleansed faster.
The grains contain chlorogenic acid, which has an antiviral effect.
This has been confirmed by recent research by scientists. During colds, you don’t need to change your habits and give up your favorite drink. It is enough to modify them slightly.
For a sore throat
Diseases caused by acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) have unpleasant complications. If you have a sore throat, drinking hot coffee is strictly prohibited. The fact is that the drink is too aggressive towards the irritated mucous membrane of the tonsils.
The taboo is imposed not only on coffee, but also on tea and any other hot drink. Cold liquid also slows down healing and increases pain. During a sore throat and irritation of the throat mucosa, it is recommended to drink only neutral drinks at room temperature:
- compote;
- not too strong tea;
- water.
Use sugar in minimal quantities, because you should let the inflamed membrane calm down. Doctors recommend frequent rinsing and spraying with special-purpose sprays.
Is it possible to drink coffee at a temperature
Colds are often accompanied by an increase in the patient's body temperature. Coffee can be consumed at temperatures up to 38 °C. When a person is ill, his condition becomes lethargic. And constant sleepiness reduces performance.
37 °C is not a critical value; coffee can not be excluded from the diet. If your body temperature rises further, you should give up your favorite drink. The reason for this is an increase in heart rate. The body's fight against viruses proceeds by destroying them due to thermal pressure. The human heart is under a lot of stress during this period, and coffee speeds up its work even more.
In order to cope with the disease, you should give up a cup of brown liquid for a while. Drinking coffee at high temperatures will only worsen the overall weakened condition and prevent the body from fighting pathogens.
When coughing
Cough is another unpleasant symptom of the disease. To treat it, it is recommended to drink coffee mixed with medicinal herbs and spices.
The drink speeds up the process of removing phlegm and mucus.
The properties of the weakly brewed “dark continent” potion are similar to green tea. But its strength should be less than that of traditional Americano.
May irritate stomach ulcers
Coffee is acidic, so it may cause stomach irritation in some people, such as those with active stomach ulcers or acid-related digestive problems.
According to a study of 302 people with stomach ulcers, more than 80% reported an increase in abdominal pain and other symptoms after drinking coffee ().
However, another study of more than 8,000 people found no relationship between coffee consumption and stomach ulcers or other gastrointestinal problems such as intestinal ulcers or acid reflux ().
The connection between coffee and stomach ulcers varies from person to person. If you notice that coffee causes or worsens stomach ulcers, you should avoid drinking it or switch to cold brew coffee, which is less acidic ().
Conclusion:
Coffee may further irritate stomach ulcers, but research findings are not conclusive. If coffee irritates your stomach, you should avoid drinking it or switch to cold brew, which is not as sour.
What coffee drinks can you drink when you have the flu?
Influenza is a serious illness that has a high risk of complications. Doctors recommend using caffeine-containing drinks with extreme caution during the course of the disease.
In addition to the fact that they will not help in recovery, the caffeine included in the composition will interfere with the patient’s ability to sleep normally. Namely, in a dream, a person fights the disease and regains strength.
You should not drink coffee in its pure form when you have the flu. In order to help the body heal faster, you need to add various seasonings to the drink. Doctors' recommendations regarding the use of an invigorating potion are the same as for colds. You only need to drink brewed coffee; freeze-dried powder will not be beneficial.
May help you feel more energetic
Many people drink coffee in the morning every day to get an extra boost of energy at the start of the day. In fact, even decaffeinated coffee can have a mild stimulant effect on people due to the placebo effect (). For many coffee drinkers, this noticeable increase in energy is one of the key benefits of coffee, and also one of the reasons you might drink it when you're sick.
For example, this drink can give you energy if you're feeling sluggish or tired, but still well enough to go to work or do household chores.
Additionally, if you are dealing with a mild cold, coffee can help you get through the day without any significant symptoms of illness.
Conclusion:
Coffee can give you an energy boost, which can be useful if you have a mild cold - enough to go to work or do household chores.
Coffee recipes for colds
Coffee for a cold can be a life-saving recipe for illness. A cup of dark brown liquid will give you energy and help get rid of illness. There are many recipes with which your favorite drink is turned into a healing potion.
What they have in common is that you should take this kind of medicine only at the very beginning of the manifestation of the disease. In the midst of illness, you need to be very careful with an invigorating drink. At the end of the severe stage of the disease, the caffeine-containing product can be returned to the diet.
Cinnamon
Confectionery seasoning has beneficial properties. It acts as an antioxidant, reduces the effect of pathogenic microbes and restores strength. You need to drink a not too strong brewed warm drink with a pinch of cinnamon.
Suitable for treating symptoms at the initial stage of the disease and during the recovery period. Coffee with spice will help cure cough and relieve sore throat. The additive is included in coffee not only during illness, but also in the daily morning “charge of energy.”
With honey and lemon
The beneficial properties of bee products and citrus have been used in medicine since time immemorial. You should brew a weak drink, add lemon and honey to the liquid at room temperature.
Coffee with honey and lemon cleanses the respiratory tract well, is good for the immune system and helps with a runny nose.
Swelling goes away if you drink a cup of healing potion. Caffeine enhances the effect of vitamin C and honey.
With cardamom
The magical properties of the spice are used to treat coughs. This seasoning contains many useful substances that have a beneficial effect on the general condition of the body and immunity. In the East, cardamom is used to brew tea and add seasoning to main dishes. It is known as a tonic supplement that gives strength.
With star anise
The second name of the spice is anise. Many have known him from an early age. It is the main component of cough syrups and lozenges. It cleanses the lungs well, stimulates the release of mucus from the upper respiratory tract, and is useful for sore throat. Has a tonic effect.
With milk, cream or condensed milk
Additives in the form of milk and condensed milk serve to improve the taste and reduce the strength of the drink. The increased sugar content is beneficial in recovery from colds and flu. Fast carbohydrates instantly saturate the body with a charge of strength and vigor.
Interacts with some medications
Coffee also interacts with some medications, so you should avoid coffee if you are taking one of them.
In particular, caffeine may enhance the effects of stimulant medications such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), which is often used to relieve cold and flu symptoms. It may also interact with antibiotics you may be taking if you have any kind of bacterial infection (,).
Again, coffee drinkers may tolerate these medications well while drinking coffee because their bodies are accustomed to its effects ().
However, you should talk to your doctor before drinking coffee with these drugs.
Another option is to drink decaffeinated coffee while taking these medications, since the caffeine in coffee is the cause of these interactions. While decaf coffee contains trace amounts of caffeine, such small amounts are unlikely to cause drug interactions ().
Conclusion:
The caffeine in coffee can interact with stimulant drugs such as pseudoephedrine as well as antibiotics. You should talk to your doctor before drinking coffee while taking these medications.
When is coffee dangerous when you're sick?
It is unsafe to drink coffee if you have ARVI or fever. Doctors recommend taking the “dark continent” drink only during a mild cold. It is easy to harm a weakened body; it is much more difficult to recover. Giving up the usual amount of coffee will speed up recovery and strengthen the immune system.
A drink at room temperature in the early stages of a cold or during the recovery period will speed up the return to your normal lifestyle. Until recently, it was believed that coffee should be excluded from the diet if you have a cold. In 2021, scientists refuted this judgment. This pleased many lovers of the drink from the “dark continent”.
You need to take your favorite medicine according to the recommendations of specialists and do not increase its daily dose. In order to help yourself recover, you should drink only natural grain coffee; the instant analogue does not contain any beneficial properties.
Conclusion
- You can drink coffee for a cold if the patient’s temperature does not rise above 38 degrees;
- Chlorogenic acid contained in coffee is a natural antiviral agent;
- Be sure to drink plenty of other fluids when you are sick, and caffeine will help flush out toxins along with it;
- Instant coffee is harmful, it is better to drink natural, freshly ground and freshly brewed coffee, and make it weak;
- Add spices, lemon or honey to your coffee - they will help restore strength and recover faster.
Products for health
Having become infected with the flu, each of us feels symptoms that cause not just discomfort, but excruciating headaches, high fever, cough, aching joints, muscle pain, etc. The reason for this is intoxication of the body from the decay of some cells and viruses. External manifestations are evidence of internal problems - swelling, inflammation, congestion. To eliminate symptoms and destroy bacteria, comprehensive treatment is necessary.
Important: self-medication of the flu is strictly prohibited. To clarify the diagnosis, a visit to a doctor and adequate therapy are necessary.
To eliminate the disease, symptomatic as well as etiotropic treatment is undertaken. The use of antiviral agents, immunomodulators, immunostimulants, antipyretics, painkillers, antihistamines and antispasmodics is indicated. To stimulate expectoration and eliminate the cough reflex, mucolytics and bronchodilators are prescribed depending on the type of cough.
Important: reducing the temperature to 38.5 is not recommended. Temperature indicates the body's fight against viruses.
