Tag: Hydration and illness

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average healthy adult gets two to three colds per year. When a cold strikes, the age-old saying "feed a cold, starve a fever" often comes to mind, but the modern medical consensus is more nuanced. The short answer is yes, you should eat something if you have a cold, but prioritizing nutrient-rich foods and staying hydrated is more important than simply consuming calories.

An old medical adage from 1574, 'fasting is a great remedy of fever,' has been proven inaccurate by modern science. So, is it best to eat or not eat when you're sick? The answer depends on your specific symptoms, but experts now agree that providing your body with nutrients is vital for recovery, regardless of whether you have a cold or a fever.

According to a study published in the journal *Cell*, high sugar consumption was linked to a loss of important immune cells in mice. This suggests that while your body might crave sugar for a quick energy boost, indulging may not be the best idea when you're feeling under the weather. We'll explore whether sugar helps when you're sick and provide healthier alternatives for recovery.

The centuries-old adage 'feed a cold, starve a fever' is largely debunked by modern medical science, which emphasizes the body's need for fuel to fight infection. So, **is it better to not eat when you feel sick?** The answer is almost always no, as depriving your body of nutrients can hinder your immune system's ability to heal.