How Do Spicy Foods Help The Common Cold – Can spicy meat cure a cold? Neuroscientist dismisses ‘inspirational reality’. A study of the effects of capsaicin on sick people uses capsules with a concentrated form of the substance. Genovese believes that eating spicy food is more beneficial.
The natural ingredient that gives spicy food, capsaicin, has been used medicinally for centuries. It was used as an anesthetic and to treat wounds. While hot sauce lovers might find it tempting to think that a few sips of the spice will do the trick, the reality is that hot sauce is more of a band-aid than a cure for the common cold.
How Do Spicy Foods Help The Common Cold
Federica Genovese, a neuroscientist at the Monell Chemical Senses Center, explains why a hot tub isn’t a cure for a cold, but can still be helpful in some cases.
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No, that’s the simple answer. Capsaicin cannot fight the viruses that cause colds. Colds are currently incurable. If there is, we’ll be the first to tell you. Keep reading to learn how spicy dishes can help with some cold symptoms.
The facts support the possibility that this is true. Be aware that rhinitis, a condition caused by eating spicy food, can cause a runny nose. This is why eating spicy food causes sweating. TRPV1 receptors on the tongue, which are sensitive to high temperatures, bind when spicy food touches them. Even though spicy food is not always hot to the touch, it still signals to the brain that the body feels pain due to heat. The body emits this signal through sweat, crying and snoring.
But it is likely that this will not be a reliable strategy. Sinusitis often causes nasal congestion. So even though mucus builds up, the sinuses can prevent it from draining, making eating spicy foods ineffective. Genovese at least suggests this possibility.
According to Genovese, “I wonder if it’s going to make things worse in some situations where you’re already very overwhelmed, and then you’re just adding more fire to the fire.”
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While it works as a pain reliever, oddly enough, it can also reduce symptoms. Spicy food can be powerful, but it suppresses the pain system for a moment. This may indicate that you feel better for a while, but nothing really changes. For example, if you have a sore throat, roughness and soreness will not be felt.
Menthol, found in anti-fungal products such as Vicks Vaporub, exhibits similar behavior. According to Genovese, this simply increases the sensitivity of the sinuses to airflow without clearing or opening them. Because you have become more aware of small amounts of air passing through you, you may find that your breathing is improving because of this sensitivity.
Using Vicks Vaporub, she explains, “only helps us find airflow through the nose, but doesn’t relieve nasal congestion by itself.”
In studies of the effects of capsaicin on sick people, capsules containing a concentrated form of the substance are used. However, Genovese believes there is more to eating spicy food.
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Capsaicin is only released in the intestines when consumed in capsule form. However, the anesthetic effect does not occur until the tongue comes into contact with capsaicin, which causes that burning sensation.
Whether you’re healthy or feeling under the weather, a warm soup or tea can bring you comfort. They feel like a warm hug and adding a little spice can make them even more huggable. Delicious and warming foods can help you feel better, even if the spices don’t help get rid of your cold. We know what foods bring relief from a cold or flu, like a hot bowl of chicken soup or a mug of ginger tea. , But what about the food that makes a cold or flu worse? Avoid it when you feel sick.
“High sugar intake can suppress the immune system,” says Irwin Solapas, MD, assistant professor of sports medicine in family and community medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Dr. Solapas says increased sugar levels can suppress infection-fighting white blood cells. Sugar also increases inflammatory markers called cytokines, which can cause inflammation in the body. Don’t indulge in too many sugary foods (and yes, that includes sugary juices) until you feel better. Here are 9 other ways a cold or flu can get worse.
Thinking of treating yourself to a delicious treat, buttered toast or a plate full of pasta? Think again. Dr. Solapas warns that refined carbohydrates break down quickly into sugar, causing the same spike in blood sugar as sugary drinks and snacks, with the same inflammatory effects. “That being said, not all carbs are bad,” he explains. “Low-glycemic carbohydrates, such as wheat bread, whole grains, or anything high in fiber, can reduce inflammation.” Exception: If you have an upset stomach, simple carbohydrates can help; This is easy to digest.
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Like sugar, alcohol causes inflammation and weakens white blood cells. Alcohol also has a double effect by promoting dehydration. According to Dr. Solapas hydration is important when you are sick because it helps the kidneys do their job of filtering waste from the body so you can recover faster. “In addition, hydration helps relieve nasal congestion by preventing mucus from drying out so you can expel it from your body,” he says. You may also find that if you’re already slightly dehydrated from illness, drinking alcohol may harm you more than usual. Drink water and tea until you feel better. Here are 15 surprising ways to prevent colds and flu.
If you have a cold or upper respiratory symptoms, there’s no need to skip Sriracha sauce: Spicy foods can actually help clear your nasal passages, thanks to the ingredient capsaicin, says Dr. Solapas. But if your stomach is upset due to illness, avoid hot food. This can make an upset stomach even worse. Here are the 14 best foods for winter.
When you’re feeling down, your first impulse might be to grab a glass of orange juice—all that vitamin C, right? But citrus fruits, including oranges, grapefruits and lemons, can irritate the stomach lining and make indigestion worse. If you feel nauseous, it’s best to stay away until your stomach has settled. Dr. Solapas recommends taking an over-the-counter vitamin C supplement to avoid the risk of stomach upset. Or try one of these 21 natural cold and flu remedies that actually work.
“When a person is dealing with cold symptoms, the appetite decreases, and fatty foods make you worse because they can increase inflammation,” says Dr. Solapas. “When you’re sick and your body is telling you that it’s probably not a good idea to eat a greasy burger, it’s probably not a good idea.” Trust your gut…really!
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It may not contain sugar, but candy or chewing gum that contains sorbitol can cause stomach problems. Sorbitol is not absorbed and can cause stomach upset or even diarrhea in some people, warns Dr. Supapas we. Diarrhea means dehydration – such a disease, no-no. Artificial sweeteners can also cause headaches. If you have a sore throat and need relief, choose honey-sweetened cough drops without sorbitol.
Like alcohol, caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea and soda can cause further dehydration. Since caffeine is a diuretic, it reduces fluid retention, explains Dr. Solapas, which slows down the recovery time. It doesn’t help that most of these drinks contain sugar, which causes inflammation and makes it harder to fight infections. Here are 10 habits recommended by doctors to avoid cold and flu season.
Any food that has an uneven or crunchy texture can irritate the throat and aggravate a cough or sore throat. This includes anything with a sharp edge, such as crackers, nuts and even raw vegetables. Instead, eat foods that have a texture that is easy to swallow. Dr. Solapas recommends gargling with salt water instead of eating salty foods to soothe an irritated throat and speed healing.
“The foods that make a sore throat worse are usually the same foods that can cause an upset stomach,” says Dr. Solapas. Pickled foods contain vinegar and/or salt, which can increase inflammation in the throat. Ahead, check out these 50 ways to stay safe from the cold this season.
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Ali Wilkinson lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, three young children, and two adult cats. She is a lawyer, writer, knitter, runner and avid Nutella drinker. Her articles have appeared in Red Book, Scary Mommy, Elephant Journal and Babble, among others. She writes about parenting and other things that make her laugh (and cry) on her blog, Run, Knit, Love.
We no longer support IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide a web experience for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Hot stuff. And while eating spicy food is definitely not for everyone, a large number of people around the world find pleasure in eating food full of every spice. some can do this too
