4 Best Drinks When You're Sick With a Cold or Flu
Discover the power of hydration for flu and cold relief. Explore our guide to find the best drinks for recovery: water, lemonade, ginger ale, electrolyte water.
Updated February 8, 2024.
When we have the flu, it's common to experience dehydrating symptoms such as fever, cough, and nasal congestion. The National Health Services (NHS) suggests drinking plenty of fluids during colds and flu since dehydration can worsen flu symptoms due to impaired immune function.
However, nausea or stomach viruses may make you less inclined to hydrate. Luckily, there is a variety of hydrating drinks that not only are delicious but offer essential nutrients to aid in the recovery process. For instance, research shows that a 600ml solution containing electrolytes can rehydrate you faster than drinking water.
Here's what hydration can help with and the best drinks for when you have a cold or flu.
» Learn how to choose the healthiest water type
4 Best Drinks That Help You When You’re Sick
- Water
- Lemonade
- Ginger ale
- Electrolyte drinks
1. Water
Adequate water consumption helps thin mucus in the respiratory passages, which facilitates its elimination and contributes to a reduction in nasal congestion, cough, and improved breathing.
To help you with hydration, you can drink cold water when you're sick if you prefer. Studies show that your reflex which acknowledges fluid intake kicks in more when drinking cold water. However, warm drinks can be more soothing to the throat and can also help reduce mucus.
To enhance your cellular hydration on a deeper level, you can use the Mayu Swirl, which restructures and aerates water back to a pure state with no chemicals, making it healthier than tap and bottled waters.
Fun fact: Structured water is similar to uncontaminated natural water found in glaciers.
2. Lemonade
Natural juices are also great options to help with fluid intake, and among them is lemonade. You may wonder if lemonade is good for the flu, and the answer is yes.
Lemonades are abundant in citric acid, vitamin C, and polyphenols, which can boost immunity and provide relief from fatigue and cold-like symptoms, such as headaches. Regular lemonade consumption can accelerate your recovery process. Additionally, drinking lemonade can reduce flu-related nausea because of the neutralizing citric acid it contains.
» Learn how to stay hydrated when you're sick
3. Ginger Ale
Ginger ale is good for a cold because ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that can provide relief for sore throats and congestion. Additionally, the combination of ginger and carbonation—typical in ginger ales—can help alleviate an upset stomach and reduce feelings of nausea. To make ginger ale even more potent against the flu, you can add honey and lemon to help soothe a sore throat.
It's best to opt for ginger ale with natural ingredients such as fresh ginger juice or real ginger extract, low sugar content, and no artificial sweeteners. This is because these sweeteners can aggravate symptoms like diarrhea.
Tip: You can make your own ginger ale with fresh ginger, carbonated water, and natural sweeteners like honey. This way, you reduce sugar intake compared to store-bought options.
4. Electrolyte Water
When battling the flu or a cold, your body can lose essential electrolytes through sweating, coughing, or fever. With electrolyte water like Gatorade, you can restore hydration levels faster than traditional water. Electrolyte water helps maintain optimal bodily functions, even during illnesses like flu or a stomach virus.
However, Gatorade contains a high sugar content, so may not be suitable for individuals with certain dietary restrictions or health conditions, like heart disease. For a healthier option, consider Mayu Water's Electrolyte Drops. These drops ensure the swift absorption of high-quality minerals like magnesium, potassium, and zinc into the body.
» Need more options? Check out these caffeine-free alternatives to energy drinks
Accelerate Your Recovery With Healthy Beverages
Dehydration can be dangerous as it can cause muscle cramps, fatigue, and even cognitive issues, like poor focus. This is usually worsened by illness since you usually don't feel like eating or drinking.
By choosing beverages that keep your body hydrated, you can alleviate the discomfort caused by the flu and boost your immune system for a speedy recovery. From structured water with the Mayu Swirl to electrolyte-enhancing drops, you can balance your fluid levels to help you feel better during illness.
