Cold is a very common disease. If you don’t pay attention to it, you will get a cold. If you pay attention to your eating habits after a cold, you can heal it on its own. If you want to heal a cold, you need to eat some food during the cold period. Foods that can promote colds, and you should also be careful not to eat foods that can aggravate colds. So, what foods should not be eaten when you have a cold?
1. Foods that you should eat less when you have a cold
1. High-salt foods
If you eat too salty foods after a cold, it will not only reduce the secretion of saliva, but also The content of lysozyme in the oral cavity is correspondingly reduced, thereby creating conditions for the virus to survive in the upper respiratory tract mucosa, and because of the high permeability of sodium salt.
The defense function of epithelial cells in the oral cavity and throat will be inhibited, reducing the secretion of anti-disease factors such as immunoglobulin A and interferon. Of course, an appropriate amount of salt is necessary to replenish some of the sodium ions lost during heavy sweating.
2. High-sugar foods
Eating too many high-sugar foods when you have a cold may increase the amount of phlegm and reduce appetite. High-sugar foods include desserts and some high-sugar fruits, such as lychees, mangoes, pineapples, etc.
3. High-fat foods
Human digestive function declines during a cold. High-fat and greasy foods will increase the burden on the digestive system and may also affect drug absorption and efficacy.
4. Crude fiber foods
The digestion ability of a cold weakens, so you should not eat too much crude fiber foods in your diet, such as celery and leeks. You can eat some low-fiber foods. Eggplant fruits and vegetables, such as eggplant, tomatoes, winter melon, cucumber and other fruits, are beneficial to the body's absorption.
5. Spicy foods
Spicy foods such as onions, garlic, and ginger are considered to help sweating during colds, but there is still some controversy. But at least condiments such as pepper, curry powder, and mustard can irritate the respiratory mucosa and easily cause nasal congestion, thus aggravating cold symptoms. It is not recommended to eat them when you have a cold.
6. Alcohol, strong tea, strong coffee, etc.
Some people think that drinking some alcohol after a cold can help sweating, but if you are taking some antipyretic and analgesic drugs (such as: Acetaminophen), it is not advisable to drink alcohol. Drinking it can easily damage the liver, and alcohol can also irritate the gastrointestinal tract. Similarly, strong tea and strong coffee can easily cause gastrointestinal discomfort and should not be consumed when you have a cold.
2. How to take care of colds
(1) Eat more radishes
Practice has proven that the carotene in radish has a unique effect on preventing and treating colds. The specific method is to chop the sweet, crisp and juicy radish, squeeze out half a cup of juice, and then mash the ginger.
Squeeze a small amount of ginger juice, add it to radish juice, then add sugar or honey, mix well and then pour it into boiling water as a drink. Take it three times a day for two days to clear away heat, detoxify and dispel cold. , prevent and treat colds.
(2) Drink with sugar, ginger and tea
Because colds are mostly caused by exogenous wind and cold, there are often headaches, nasal congestion, runny nose, joint pain all over the body, and even cold sensitivity, fever, etc. symptom.
You can use appropriate amounts of brown sugar, ginger, and black tea to make soup and drink it 1-2 times a day. It not only warms the body and removes cold, but also has a good function in preventing and treating colds.
(3) Get more sun
The sun is the source of energy for all things in the world. The ultraviolet rays in the sun can quickly and effectively kill a variety of viruses. Families that get plenty of sunshine and frequently dry quilts and clothes.
The number of colds among its members will be much lower than that of a family that spends a lot of time indoors. It can be seen that ultraviolet rays in sunlight can effectively kill a variety of viruses on clothes and quilts, including common cold viruses.
(4) Eat less salt
Experiments have shown that eating less sodium-containing salt can increase the content of lysozyme in saliva and protect the mucosal epithelial cells of the oral cavity and throat.
Let it secrete more immunoglobulin A and interferon to deal with cold viruses. Therefore, controlling the daily salt intake within 5 grams is of great benefit in preventing and treating colds.
(5) Take honey
Honey contains a variety of biologically active substances, which can stimulate the body's immune function. Take it twice a day, morning and evening, and can effectively treat and prevent colds and colds. Other viral diseases. Honey is also great for winter health.
3. How to prevent colds in summer
1. Wash your hands frequently to prevent colds
To prevent colds in summer, you must wash your hands frequently.
Research shows that you are most likely to contract viruses by touching your hands. Viruses infected through your hands can easily lead to colds by touching your own body. When washing your hands, it is best to use soap, hand sanitizer, etc. to help clean the skin more deeply.
Correct hand washing method: rinse your hands, apply soap and lather, then wash your hands thoroughly in the order of palms, back of hands, between fingers, fingertips, and wrists.
Wash your hands for 30 seconds, and use warm water to clean them effectively. Do not wipe your hands with a towel after washing your hands.
2. Use air conditioners scientifically
Many people use air conditioners to escape the heat in summer. However, due to the large temperature difference between indoors and outdoors, poor indoor ventilation, etc., colds are prone to occur. , causing fever and other discomfort. The temperature in summer is higher, which helps the body dissipate the cold air in the body. Therefore, it is best to strengthen heat-resistant exercises in summer and reduce the time of blowing the air conditioner. People who need to be in an air-conditioned environment during the day should not use the air conditioner after returning home.
3. Eat a light and reasonable diet
To prevent colds in summer, you should pay attention to a light and reasonable diet, avoid greasy, cold, and spicy foods, and achieve comprehensive and balanced nutrition.
Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits to maintain smooth bowel movement; in summer, you can eat more mung bean porridge, lotus seed lily porridge, lotus leaf porridge, etc. to help cool down and prevent heatstroke; in addition, drink more water to help replenish body moisture. Enhance the body’s immunity and more.
4. Pay attention to the balance between work and rest
To prevent colds in summer, you must pay attention to the balance between work and rest. People who like to stay up late when the weather is hot are prone to stress. Maintaining adequate sleep can ensure the body's normal resistance. In addition, you should pay attention to moderate exercise in summer. Long-term inactivity or excessive fatigue may lead to a decline in immunity. Easy to catch cold.
Sports suitable for summer participation: swimming, hiking, walking, dancing and other aerobic exercises.
5. Maintain a good attitude
To prevent colds in summer, you should pay attention to maintaining a good attitude. We all know that people who are often worried or depressed will have a reduced immune function, and the body's ability to kill and phagocytose pathogenic microorganisms will also be weakened, making people more susceptible to colds. The weather is hot in summer, and the human body is prone to being upset, sad, irritable, etc. You must learn to vent your anger in a timely manner, and keep an open mind and an optimistic mood to better prevent colds.