by D.Chazan

Created on: September 06, 2009   Last Updated: September 09, 2009

They say, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure", but try as we might to keep from getting sick, we may still end up coming down with a cold. If you do, you might want to try some of these foods which could help alleviate some of your suffering.

Water - anyone in the medical profession will tell you to drink plenty of fluids when you get a cold, and the easiest fluid to find is water. The

American Lung Association says that drinking eight glasses of water, especially when you have a cold, is highly recommended. Water not only cleanses your system, it also provides moisture for your nose and throat, which will make it easier to clear away all that nasty mucus. Moreover, over-the-counter cold remedies tend to dry your body out, so if you take any of those, drinking lots of water in conjunction, is practically mandatory.

Tea - there's something consoling about a hot cup of tea, but it's also beneficial when you have a cold. Steam from hot liquids helps break up congestion, and you can add some honey, to sooth your sore throat, as well. One article on Yahoo sites that (non-herbal) teas contains interferon, which is a protein that fights viruses, as well as antioxidants that help reduce inflammation. They suggest that five cups (which is about three mugs) of tea will not only make you feel better when you have a cold, but if you drink that amount when you're well, you might not get sick to begin with.

Soup - the ultimate comfort food is a hot bowl of soup. While any kind of soup will soothe you, chicken soup in particular has long been touted as a mythical "Natural Penicillin". In truth, studies are now showing that there might be some truth behind chicken soup's legendary medicinal properties. The website Better Your Health notes that chicken soup has been proven to fight the white blood cells that make you feel so miserable when you have a cold. Furthermore, during the process of cooking the chicken, an amino acid called cysteine is released into the broth. Cysteine acts in the body almost exactly like acetylcysteine, a drug doctors regularly prescribe for bronchitis. Of course, as with tea, a hot bowl of soup also works as a decongestant. In addition, chicken contains zinc, an essential dietary mineral, which also boosts your immune system. However, there is no substantial evidence that zinc itself is a cure the common cold.

Garlic - famous for fighting off vampires (and potential lovers), garlic also helps you when you have a cold. In fact, if you add a bunch of garlic to your chicken soup, you're actually adding an expectorant to your decongestant medicine. According to many sources, including Sandy Powers, author of "Organic for Health", garlic (and onions) do more than just make your soup taste better. They're also great for boosting your immune system as they contain T or "killer" cells which help fight off the bacteria that can lead to complications of the common cold (such as bronchitis or worse, pneumonia).

The jury is still out regarding the healing benefits of some foods, such as Echinacea and all those zinc-rich foods, but there is some evidence that they'll speed up your recovery time somewhat. One site mentions the use of cinnamon and ginger root to help relieve symptoms. Common sense will tell you that adding a dollop of honey to your tea will help relieve your sore throat. If you squeeze some fresh lemon in as well, you'll be upping your vitamin C intake - as will drinking fresh juices that are high in vitamin C, such as orange or grapefruit.

The list of foods that will (or could) help you recover from your cold faster is endless. Some foods are better than others are, but whatever you decide to consume, remember that you'll also need lots of rest, as well.

Learn more about this author, D.Chazan.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.