TREATING THE FLU Get plenty of rest. Drink at least 2 liters each day of liquids such as non-diet 7-UP, Sprite, Gatorade, ginger ale, broth, tea with sugar (yes, soda pop is OK with a cold or flu).
Soda is primarily made of sugar, which is known to weaken the immune system. This can hinder the way your body fights the illness. Here are five ways soda can hamper your immune system.
Soda, juice, and other sugary stuff
But they're both loaded with sugar, which causes inflammation that can actually weaken your body's infection-fighting white blood cells, says Alissa Rumsey, registered dietician and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
“Carbonation can help to reduce the total acidity of the stomach, which may help the nausea dissipate,” Dr. Szarka says. Fizzy, sugary beverages can sometimes alleviate nausea better than plain water.
Water is one of the best fluids to consume to help you to stay hydrated when you're sick. The reason for this is that water doesn't contain any calories, sugar, or preservatives, which are things that can cause dehydration. Don't discount the power of a decaf or warm beverage that's low in caffeine.
Caffeinated drinks should be avoided as they are dehydrating. They include coffee, cola drinks, energy drinks and tea. Alcohol is also dehydrating and should be avoided. In addition, it affects the functioning of the immune system and drinking too much alcohol makes you more likely to get an infection.
Carbonated drinks cause inflammation, so avoid the fizzy stuff while you have a sore throat. Similar to fried foods, drinks with a high sugar content weaken your immune system. The best course of action is to drink plenty of water instead.
If you ask most doctors, they will typically tell you to drink Sprite for an upset stomach. The MedlinePlus website recommends ginger ale along with other clear liquids, such as water and fruit juices, to help replenish fluids following diarrhea or vomiting.
While ginger in its natural form may have some cold and flu benefits, this carbonated, sugary version won't offer much relief. Soft drinks of any kind have very little of the nutrients and electrolytes you need to fight off sickness.
Take care to avoid caffeinated sodas, since caffeine can make your upset stomach worse. The carbonation from sodas inflates the stomach while increasing its internal pressure.
Running a fever can cause you to sweat and lose fluids. Because caffeine and alcohol can dehydrate you, it's best to steer away from them and continue to sip on water and electrolyte beverages.
Some people swear by a folksy remedy of Coca-Cola as a sore throat healer. Others combine it with lemon and ginger for a sore throat. Still many say drinking soda while sick isn't a good idea because it can dehydrate at a time when more fluids are best.
There are a few reasons why you might crave soda when you're sick. First, the sugar in soda can provide a quick source of energy for your body. Second, the carbonation in soda can help to relieve nausea.
Steer clear of fast food when you're sick or fighting off a cold. Refined sugars and artificial sweeteners cause inflammation within the body, so do your best to avoid highly processed foods with added sugar in them.
Electrolyte solutions or sports drinks, such as Pedialyte for children and Gatorade (try the sugar-free version), are good options. Herbal teas, particularly those containing ginger, can be very soothing. Regular tea is also okay but try not to drink too much caffeine when you are sick.
Avoid all foods with inflammatory properties when you have a sore throat. Inflammatory foods can often make your sore throat worse and delay your body's natural healing process. Sugary foods, fatty foods, acidic foods, and alcohol are some food groups to avoid when you have a sore throat.
Drinking club soda or hot tea with lemon, or sucking on sugar-free sour lemon drops may help break up mucus. Increase your fluid intake to 8-12 cups per day to help loosen phlegm.
The carbonation in soft drinks, seltzer water, and beer causes the acid from your stomach to bubble up into your throat, creating the uncomfortable burning sensation. Cutting carbonated drinks from your diet may help control your symptoms.
Alcohol and caffeinated drinks like coffee are diuretics, which means that alcohol makes you pee more and can make your body more dehydrated. This is something you want to avoid when sick, so skip these drinks when you have a sore throat.
Worst foods: Avoid hard, scratchy foods such as potato chips, nuts, and granola. The acidic juices from many fruits and vegetables, as well as orange juice, grape juice, and lemonade, can also irritate a sore throat.
Drinks to Soothe a Cold
Rather than soda, focus on fluids like water, tea and soup broth. Staying hydrated will help loosen up your congestion and ease a cough. Because soda can make dehydration worse, it's best to thank Mom for her advice, but skip the 7UP and other sodas.
Try foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce, dry toast, soda crackers (these foods are called BRAT diet). For 24-48 hours after the last episode of vomiting, avoid foods that can irritate or may be difficult to digest such alcohol, caffeine, fats/oils, spicy food, milk or cheese.
By identifying the trigger(s) to your cough, this can help reduce the episodes. The following list includes some common triggers and ways to reduce their affect. - Avoid drinking too much tea, coffee, alcohol or fizzy drinks as they can cause throat dryness. There are exercises you can do to help suppress your cough.
why? because when we were sick as kids, most of our parents gave us flat 7-up or Sprite to drink, to help us rehydrate. it had no medicinal value, but the sweet flavor made it easier to get down when you felt bad, and the little bit of sugar was probably good for some energy too.
Ingredients are: filtered carbonated water and contains 2% or less of each of the following: citric acid, natural and artificial flavors, potassium benzoate (protects flavor), aspartame, potassium citrate, acesulfame potassium, red 40. Phenylketonurics: Contains phenylalanine.