Serious Eats
Do Hot Liquids Ease Symptoms of a Cold or Flu?
Would you like a nice, steamy liquid to go with your cold? Yes.
Anahad O'Connor of the New York Times addresses whether or not hot liquids ease symptoms of a cold or flu. In a study done by researchers at the Common Cold Center at Cardiff University in Britain, hot drinks provided "immediate and sustained relief from symptoms of runny nose, cough, sneezing, sore throat, chilliness and tiredness," while the same drinks at room temperature provided relief for less symptoms.
I have unknowingly been testing this theory on myself all week, as my throat feels like a cat crawled in and scratched at it and my voice sounds more like Scarlett Johanssen as a toad with each passing day. Since I don't have a taste for coffee or tea—unless there are copious amounts of milk and sugar involved—I drink water 99 percent of the time. Not wanting to drink cups of hot water to ease my throat, what has been my drink of choice these past few days? Hot chocolate (we still have leftover mix from our taste test from 2007, and I have no shame). Is it doing wonders for my symptoms? I can't tell, but the psychological effects have been positive. And, in case my mom is reading this, don't worry; I'm still drinking plenty of water.