Can Home Remedies Really Help Fight a Cold?
While garlic has proven effective against the common cold and other illnesses, many people turn to other home remedies for relief.
So, can chicken soup truly combat the more than 200 viruses responsible for the common cold? What about zinc lozenges or vitamin C? According to the BBC, effective cold remedies work by boosting the immune system, helping your body fight off invaders.
Supplements: Multivitamin Boost?
If you enjoy a balanced diet, supplements likely won’t prevent colds. However, studies suggest that a good multivitamin containing vitamins A, D, E, B6, B12, folic acid, zinc, selenium, copper, and iron can shorten both duration and frequency of cold symptoms.
Vitamin C: A Cold-Fighting Champion?
A 2023 study found evidence that Vitamin C supplements can significantly decrease the severity of cold symptoms, including nagging coughs, sore throats, and runny noses, by around 15%. Since taking Vitamin C comes with little risk, experts believe it’s worth a try.
Zinc: Guarding Against Colds?
During the initial COVID-19 outbreak, zinc supplements were nearly impossible to find. The word spread quickly; zinc, this vital mineral, might be key to reducing the risk and severity of COVID-19.
“The body requires zinc to make proteins and DNA, the genetic material in every cell,” says David Friedman, a clinical nutritionist. “Zinc also helps protect the body against invading bacteria and viruses.”
One study found that 80 milligrams daily of zinc acetate lozenges shortened the duration of stuffy and blocked noses due to the common cold by a third, led to 22% less sneezing, and halved coughing.
Chicken Soup: Myth or Medicine?
Old-fashioned chicken soup has a reputation as a cold-fighting remedy, but science has historically favored mythical explanations over scientific evidence. While modern research confirms that chicken soup is more effective than other hot liquids at increasing mucous flow and flushing out the cold virus, the science behind chicken soup’s effectiveness remains a subject of ongoing research and debate. The amino acid cysteine found abundantly in chicken contributes to loosening secretions, an effect further enhanced by adding pepper, garlic, and other spices.
