Is Lemonade Good for Sick People to Drink While They Have the Flu?
With the flu, you'll experience a range of uncomfortable symptoms that get in the way of your daily life. Many cases of the flu are viral, which means that medication is unlikely to alleviate your symptoms.
With the flu, you'll experience a range of uncomfortable symptoms that get in the way of your daily life. Many cases of the flu are viral, which means that medication is unlikely to alleviate your symptoms. The good news is that there are certain home remedies, such as warm lemonade, that can help reduce the severity of your symptoms. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that vitamin C can help treat your symptoms, and lemonade is a good source of this nutrient.
Symptoms
A bout of the flu is accompanied by a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. One of the most common flu complaints is pain. With the flu, you may experience muscle aches, headache and sore throat. Other common symptoms of the flu include stuffy nose, runny nose, cough, fever and chills. You may also experience nausea that can be accompanied by vomiting.
Lemonade
The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that one of the best ways to treat the flu is to get plenty of fluids. Lemonade may help you increase your fluid intake, but drink it warm rather than icy cold. Warm lemonade can help ease chest congestion and may also help soothe a sore throat. Pacific Lutheran University recommends warm water with lemon and honey to help ease a sore throat and clear up a stuffy nose. Make use of this remedy by warming a glass of lemonade and adding a squirt of honey.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps boost your immune system, which may help you ward off colds and flu in the future. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that consuming plenty of vitamin C is also recommended while you have the flu, and lemonade is a good way to increase your intake of this nutrient. Some evidence suggests that taking vitamin C will help reduce your flu symptoms and shorten the duration of your symptoms, though these have not been confirmed.
Recommendations
Limit your intake of warm lemonade to one glass per day because a high-sugar diet is not good for you. Sugar may actually suppress your immune system, making it more difficult for your body to fight off the virus causing your symptoms. Make your own lemonade instead if it helps your symptoms and you want to drink more than one glass per day. Combine fresh lemon juice with water and add a touch of honey for sweetness. Other warm liquids, such as tea, can have similar treatment effects as warm lemonade.