Feed a Cold but Starve a Fever?
Can you really feed a cold but starve a fever? Find out the truth about this old wives’ tale.
Expert: Constantine Hatzis, Ph.D. Australian Defense Force Medical Officer
Transcript
Welcome to another old wives’ tale with no basis in reality. Anyone who has a cold and/or fever NEEDS a certain amount of nutrients and fluids to get better. Without them, the body has a more difficult time fighting off the sickness.
It’s one of the most well-known medical bromides around: starve a cold, feed a fever. But scientists have found little evidence to support this. How these claims came about is unclear.
One popular but unproven theory is that fasting during a fever helps lower body temperature, while lots of food helps raise it, thus helping to fight off a cold. But most doctors, and years of research on cold and flu sufferers, say there’s only one tried-and-true treatment: PLENTY of rest and fluids.
It may help to know that once someone has contracted a cold or the flu, it’ll run its course in 5 to 10 days. So don’t starve.
Last Modified: 2013-06-06
Category: Health and Nutrition, Videos
