You may be wondering if a summer cold is any different than a cold that occurs during the winter, but we are here to tell you that there is no difference. A summer cold is merely that, a cold that occurs during the summertime. While some people may believe that colds can only happen during the winter, it actually doesn’t have to be cold outside in order for you to come down with a cold. The rhinovirus that causes the common cold can still spread and infect people just as quickly as it does in the wintertime. Unfortunately, having a cold during the summer is not a welcome event, but nonetheless, it still happens because of the highly contagious nature of colds. You can catch a cold from a kiss, a handshake, or from even touching a common public item (i.e., handrail or doorknob) so it can be difficult to escape entirely. But luckily, there are ways you can reduce your chance of getting a summertime cold, and that’s knowing what to eat for a summer cold.
Luckily if you catch the summer time bug, knowing what to eat for a summer cold can help you feel better, inside and out. Remember, you are what you eat, so feed your cold!
Garlic– Garlic cloves are amazing, so much so they can be used for both consumption and medicinal purposes. It’s true, eating raw garlic is an excellent way to keep viral infections at bay since its one of the best foods you can eat that can help improve your immune system. If you want to take advantage of garlic’s disease-fighting antioxidants, you can add garlic to your food, eat a few raw cloves a day, or brew yourself a cup of garlic “tea.”
Turmeric– Turmeric, especially when it’s paired with honey, is able to work well as a cold remedy. The reason why turmeric is so potent is because turmeric is an anti-inflammatory, which works wonders when you need some relief from your nasal inflammation. Also, turmeric acts as an expectorant, which can help ease a runny nose, sneezing, and coughing. This is because of the curcumin found in turmeric, an active compound that is great for dissolving mucus.
Echinacea– You may or may not have heard of this herb, but taking Echinacea once you start experiencing the symptoms of a cold, is an excellent way to fend off germs and sickness. This well-known herb has long been used by Native Americans for healing, and it has even been shown to increase immune response in the body. Research has discovered that this wonder plant is able to increase the number of white blood cells in your body, which helps fight off infections.
Ginger– Ginger tea has been prescribed by Chinese herbalists for centuries, and for a good reason. This fantastic root acts as a natural antiviral is excellent for sore throats, and is a highly effective remedy for a stuffy nose. Ginger is effective at drying up the nasal passages. A powerful antioxidant, ginger is excellent for soothing the stomach, stimulating circulation, as well as fighting off inflammation and infections such as the rhinoviruses, which is what causes colds in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
A summer cold is not different from a winter cold; it is caused by the same rhinovirus and can spread just as easily regardless of the season. The main difference is simply the time of year when the cold occurs.
The common cold spreads through direct contact such as kisses and handshakes, or by touching contaminated surfaces like handrails and doorknobs. This highly contagious nature makes summer colds hard to avoid even in warm weather.
Consuming garlic, turmeric, echinacea, and ginger can help improve the immune system during a summer cold. These foods contain antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that help reduce symptoms and speed up recovery.
Garlic has powerful antioxidants that fight viral infections and boost the immune system. Eating raw garlic, adding it to meals, or drinking garlic tea can help keep viral infections like the common cold at bay.
Turmeric acts as an anti-inflammatory and expectorant, helping to relieve nasal inflammation, runny nose, sneezing, and coughing. Its active compound, curcumin, helps dissolve mucus and soothe cold symptoms.
Echinacea can help strengthen the immune system by increasing white blood cell production, which fights infections. It’s most effective when taken at the onset of cold symptoms to help fend off the illness.
Ginger acts as a natural antiviral and anti-inflammatory, drying up nasal passages and soothing sore throats. It also stimulates circulation and helps fight infections like the rhinovirus responsible for colds.