Chicken soup and other fluids can improve symptoms. Drinking plenty of liquids, such as water, juice, clear broth or chicken soup helps loosen mucus that can cause congestion and helps prevent dehydration. Warm liquids can help ease a sore throat.
According to a study, chicken soup can help clear mucus from nasal passages and relieve congestion better than other hot liquids. NDSU Extension Service “Can I get you anything?” my husband asked.
Broth or soup
A chicken soup or broth is an excellent food to eat when you have flu. The steam from soup or broth speeds up the movement of mucus through the nose to relieve congestion. A healthy soup also helps reduce inflammation. Sipping hot soup enhances your immune system that guards against bacteria and viruses.
Similar to the benefits of peppers, garlic helps reduce inflammation and pain in the sinus passages. Antioxidant-rich foods: Antioxidant-rich foods, such as citrus, kiwi, spinach, berries and other vegetables help protect the mucous membranes from free radical damage.
Nasal irrigation, also known as sinus rinsing, is the practice of moving a saline (saltwater) solution through your nasal passages to clear out mucus and flush out debris and allergens. Irrigation devices, such as neti pots, squeeze bottles and rubber nasal bulbs, push the water through one nostril and out the other.
As far as what to avoid when you're sick, steer clear of foods that may fuel inflammation or stress your immune system. Those foods include refined sugar, processed foods (especially those with artificial ingredients), conventional dairy and meat, caffeine, and alcohol.
Staying well hydrated can help keep mucus thin. In particular, hot beverages and soup may help clear nasal phlegm. If you like tea, add honey to help relieve excess coughing.
Our doctors at Detroit Sinus Center recommend the following: Stay hydrated: be proactive about drinking fluids. Your body needs to be fully hydrated in order to recover from a sinus infection. Also, drinking hot liquids like tea or soup can help break down the stuffiness and mucus in your nasal cavities.
To get rid of excess phlegm, add more cardamom, onion, pineapple, ginger, garlic, and peppers. Spicy foods and high chili doses function as natural decongestants, which will cause the mucus to thin and start running, making it easier to remove phlegm. In addition, make an effort to eat healthily.
When it comes to soup it is important to avoid dairy based soups, as dairy can often lead to congestion. If you're craving a creamy soup use coconut milk instead! Coconut has antiviral and antibacterial properties and it's delicious!
Soups can be very helpful in soothing your throat and clearing out congestion from your chest. Tomatoes are high in antioxidants called lycopene. Lycopene is directly linked to reducing inflammation and has been proven to better your lungs' overall health.
The scent of soup
The aroma, spices and heat from chicken soup could help clear sinuses and improve symptoms of infection among people with respiratory problems, according to a separate study published in Chest.
Things like allergies, eating spicy food, and being outside in the cold can result in a more watery nasal leakage. Your body usually makes thicker mucus when you have a cold (caused by viruses) or sinus infection (caused by bacteria).
Sugary Foods
Foods that contain refined sugars, such as candy, soda, chocolate, and baked goods, can cause your body to become inflamed and produce excess mucus, which can be crucial factors in your sinus health. Sweet treats are ok to enjoy once in a while, but consistently having them can adversely affect you.
2. Bananas. “Yes, it might sound shocking, but bananas increase the congestion by impacting the production of phlegm. Also, one thing we need to understand is to note the time and season when bananas trigger the sinus.
What Foods Can Increase Mucus? It might not surprise you to learn that most processed foods contain artificial sweeteners, sodium, and thickening agents—all of which can increase mucus production [4]. Dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, or ice cream can do the same.
Foods to help you fight a cold or flu
Broth-based soups can help thin mucus in the lungs, keep your nasal passages moist, and fight inflammation in the throat. They also act as a natural decongestant and provide fluids, electrolytes, calories, vitamins, and protein. Spicy foods.
Although it might feel like longer, nasal congestion usually lasts around five to 10 days, depending on whether it is caused by a viral or bacterial infection. While decongestants can help to manage your nasal congestion symptoms, it is best to just let nasal congestion run its course.