Best Drinks to Sip on When You’re Sick and What to Avoid

Medically reviewed by Raheela Hasan Gazi
Medically reviewed by Raheela Hasan Gazi on
Health & Nutrition Specialist
Updated on December 9th, 2020
What to drink when feeling sick

Different types of drinks can combat various kinds of illnesses. An individual with a sore throat may benefit from drinks that would not help someone who feels nauseous. In this write-up, we provide a list of drinks to take and avoid with common illnesses.

What to Drink When Feeling Sick

1. Ginger Turmeric Tea

Ingredients: Ginger, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, black pepper, turmeric, jaggery, lemon juice.

Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Ginger helps to open up airways by decreasing inflammation, helps relieve congestion.

Black pepper contains hydrochloric acid, which aids in digestion—minerals found in jaggery boost the immune system. Lemons are packed with vitamin C, which can help boost the immune system.

2. Fresh Mint Tea

Ingredients : Mint leaves,cinnamon,clove,pepper,cardamom,lemon juice.

The anti-inflammatory properties of mint leaves are known to alleviate congestion of the throat, bronchi. It also has soothing properties. Lemon has vitamin C; cardamom is rich in antioxidants; thus, it helps in combating the symptoms of cough and cold. Cinnamon [1] can kill bacteria and viruses.

[Read: Amazing Mint Tea Benefits]

3. Whole Spices Drink

Ingredients : Cloves,cardamom,ginger,bay leaf,licorice stick,cinnamon stick

Cloves are a treasure trove of anti-inflammatory compounds. Licorice is useful in managing sore throat, cough, and excessive production of mucus. Bay leaf is a rich source of minerals and also helps in digestion

4. Ajwain Kadha

Ingredients : Ajwain(carom seeds), cloves,black pepper,jaggery

Ajwain helps relieve chest congestion; Jaggery contains minerals that help boost the immune system.

5. Lemongrass Pumpkin Soup

Ingredients: Pumpkin, coconut milk, coriander ginger, turmeric, onion, garlic, lemon, black pepper, coriander, cumin seeds, lemongrass

Pumpkins are rich in vitamin C, beta carotene, and also other minerals. It helps ward off cold helps boost our immune system. Lemongrass contains substances that reduce pain, swelling. Onion can cure cough, fever, and also boosts our immune system.

6. Ginger Tulsi Tea

Ginger,turmeric,methi seeds,black pepper, mulethi powder,ajwain,tulsi leaves,mint leaves,lemon juice

Fenugreek seeds are packed with antiviral properties and can treat sore throats. Mulethi powder has bronchodilator properties and provides relief from cough. Lemon juice has vitamin C, ajwain relieves chest congestion, tulsi has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitussive(cough relieving),anti-allergic properties.

7. Mint Drink

Ingredients: Curry leaves, coriander, mint leaves, Cumin powder, pepper, turmeric, salt, lemon juice.

Curry leaves are packed with vitamins and also have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties, which are helpful in reducing cough and cold; Coriander leaves are rich in vitamin C and minerals, turmeric has antibacterial and antiviral properties relieving the symptom of cold, Lemon is rich in vitamin C.

Jeera powder has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The compounds in it help to soothe inflamed muscles and boost immunity to fight infections.

What to Avoid

1. Alcohol

Alcohol suppresses the immune system, can also cause dehydration.

2. Caffeinated Beverages

Like coffee, energy drinks should also be avoided. It also suppresses the immune system and dehydrates the body, which leads to thicker mucus. Drinking too much caffeine releases high levels of cortisol and stress hormones.

3. Bakery Products

They contain refined Sugar, which can potentially increase inflammation and reduce the ability of white blood cells to function effectively.

4. Canned Foods

It contains many food additives and preservatives.

  • Junk Food

Fried foods contain high amounts of pro-inflammatory fats, which can spike any pre-existing inflammation in the body. The fats and oils present in them are derived from products that may cause to produce mucus.

  • Toasted Food

It may cause discomfort when dealing with a tender throat.

  • Histamine Rich Foods

Histamines are chemicals that make more mucus during cough. Avoid foods that contain high histamines, which include avocado, mushrooms, strawberries.

8. Refined Sugar

Sugar, too, can cause severe inflammation and weaken the immune system making cold and cough worse. Though sweets are comforting but try and avoid them.

9. Dairy Products

During cold and cough, the intensity and severity of mucus increase, so it is suggested to avoid dairy products as they can further increase mucus production.


About The Author:

Raheela Hasan Gazi, Health & Nutrition Specialist

Raheela Hasan Gazi is also a very famous nutritionist in Mumbai, a counselor, health blogger/writer, Youtuber, motivator, and a renowned wellness expert. she has worked with some of India’s well-known fitness trainers, doctors, physiotherapists and reputed gyms in Mumbai.

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