Since childhood, we are taught to dress warmer in the fall and winter and strengthen our immune system to get sick as little as possible.
However, few people know that we regularly eat foods that increase the risk of catching an infection and exacerbate its symptoms.
We tell you what these foods are and what exactly are their dangers
1. Sugar
Eating too much sugar is a surefire way to exacerbate a cold or catch one.
According to a study published in Frontiers in Immunology in 2017, overindulging on sweets in your diet suppresses your immune system.
Which means the body is left without the strength to fight off infections.
2. Alcohol
Some people think that a glass of mulled wine, or even a shot of something stronger (like cognac), is an effective cold remedy.
In fact, studies show that alcohol only increases inflammation, and also suppresses white blood cells.
Necessary to fight colds.
On top of that, hard drinks are dehydrating, and fluid in the body is extremely necessary to defeat infection.
So, if you are sick, it is better to avoid alcohol altogether and drink more hot herbal tea.
3. Drinks with Caffeine
Coffee, green tea, black tea and other drinks with caffeine also dehydrate the body.
So it’s better to switch to caffeine-free analogues during a cold.
4. Spicy Foods
According to a 2016 study published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition,
A substance found in spicy foods – stimulates sputum production.
In the short term, this can alleviate an agonizing cough, but in the long term, it can worsen inflammation and delay healing.
5. Milk
As children, our parents often gave us milk and honey when we had a cold.
However, research shows – this was a mistake.
Milk and dairy products make it harder to get rid of phlegm by making it thicker.
As a result, the mucus stays in the body, making the inflammation worse.
