Every winter is a peak season for colds. If we are not careful, germs can take advantage of the opportunity to invade our bodies. Cold symptoms such as headaches, stuffy nose, sneezing, fever, and cough can often affect our work and life. "Drink more water when you have a cold to recover faster." Whenever we catch a cold, we hear people around us give this advice. So, is drinking more water really the right thing to do?
With this question, we consulted an epidemiology expert, who pointed out that the saying "drink more water when you have a cold" is not entirely accurate.
It is generally believed that a cold is caused by a viral infection or a secondary bacterial infection, and drinking more water can indirectly help expel toxins from the body. However, after analyzing data on water intake in patients with respiratory infections over the past half century, researchers in Australia found that in many cases, drinking large amounts of pure water not only failed to speed up recovery but also caused dysfunction in other bodily functions. Why is drinking more water when you have a cold actually not a good thing?
Epidemiology experts point out that when you have a cold, drinking water blindly can actually lead to dehydration!
This is because when you have a cold, your body fights the virus by developing a fever. This process causes a significant loss of body fluids, along with electrolytes like sodium and potassium. If you only replenish with large amounts of pure water, it can dilute these electrolytes. When the sodium concentration in the body drops too much, a person may experience dizziness, fatigue, and confusion. The brain then automatically sends signals to expel excess water through urine and sweat to restore electrolyte balance, a condition known in medicine as "involuntary dehydration."
In response, experts recommend: when you have a cold, your body needs effective hydration. While drinking water, it's also important to replenish sufficient electrolytes to help alleviate cold symptoms. Experts have provided a recipe for homemade electrolyte water: mix 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 beverages for better results. Experts also specifically remind that cold patients should maintain adequate fluid intake, but never drink a large amount at once. It's better to drink intermittently—about a cup (300 ml) at a time, then wait for a while before drinking again. This way, you can maintain your body's fluid balance without overburdening your kidneys.
Additionally, in the cold winter, actively preventing colds is equally important. Epidemiology experts note that dryness is the most suitable environment for cold germs to survive. Colds are mainly spread through droplets, entering the body through the mouth and nose. Keeping the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose moist can largely prevent the invasion of cold germs.
Therefore, in the winter, we might as well drink more electrolyte-supplemented water to keep our bodies in a state of adequate hydration and electrolytes. Also, remember to wear a mask to keep the mouth and nose area moist, and use saltwater to gargle more often. These simple methods can effectively protect you from the invasion of cold viruses.