Everyone catches a cold, and handled properly, it's just a minor episode; handled improperly, the condition can linger and even lead to serious complications. When you catch a cold, the first thing most people tell you is to drink more water. Can drinking more water really speed up your recovery? Let the editor tell you all about it...
Epidemiologists believe the saying "drink more water when you have a cold" is not entirely accurate
Generally, a cold is caused by a viral infection or a secondary bacterial infection, and drinking more water can indirectly help flush out toxins from the body. However, after analyzing data on fluid intake from patients with respiratory infections over the past half-century, Australian researchers concluded that in many cases, drinking excessive amounts of pure water not only failed to speed up recovery but also caused dysfunction in other bodily functions. Why, then, is drinking too much water when you have a cold actually bad for you?
Blindly drinking water when you have a cold can lead to dehydration
When you have a cold, your body fights the virus with a fever, a process that causes a significant loss of fluids and electrolytes like sodium and potassium. At this point, if you only replenish with large amounts of pure water, it will dilute the electrolytes like sodium and potassium in your body. When the concentration of sodium in the body drops too much, symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, and confusion can occur. The brain then automatically sends signals to expel excess water through urine and sweat to restore the body's electrolyte balance, a phenomenon known medically as "iatrogenic dehydration."
When you have a cold, drinking more water should also include replenishing electrolytes
In response, experts recommend that when you have a cold, your body needs effective hydration. Along with drinking water, it's crucial to replenish sufficient electrolytes to help alleviate cold symptoms. Experts have provided a recipe for homemade electrolyte water. When you have a cold, you can make your own by mixing 20 grams of sugar, 3.5 grams of salt, 2.5 grams of baking soda, 1.5 grams of potassium chloride, and 1000 ml of warm water. If the recipe seems too complicated, you can also drink bottled electrolyte drinks, such as Pocari Sweat. Cold patients should maintain adequate fluid intake, but it's important to avoid drinking large amounts at once. Instead, drink intermittently—about one glass (300 ml) at a time, and then wait for a while before drinking again. This way, you can maintain your body's fluid balance without overburdening your kidneys.
Major illnesses often result from the accumulation of minor ones, so preventive measures are essential
Furthermore, actively preventing a cold is equally important. Epidemiologists believe that dryness is the favorite environment for cold viruses. Colds are mainly spread through droplets, entering through the mouth and nose. If the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose remain moist, you can largely prevent the invasion of cold viruses. Drinking water supplemented with electrolytes to keep the body in a state of sufficient hydration and electrolytes, wearing a mask to keep the mouth and nose area moist, and gargling with saltwater are all simple practices that can effectively protect you from cold viruses.