[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/10\/foods-to-eat-when-you-have-the-flu\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/10\/foods-to-eat-when-you-have-the-flu\/","headline":"Foods to Eat When You Have the Flu","name":"Foods to Eat When You Have the Flu","description":"Here are the best foods to eat when fighting off a flu infection","datePublished":"2020-10-01","dateModified":"2020-11-19","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/primary-care-regions","name":"Primary Care","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/primary-care-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/primary-care\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/iStock-1141394507.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/iStock-1141394507.jpg","height":326,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/10\/foods-to-eat-when-you-have-the-flu\/","about":["Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":853,"keywords":["cold and flu"],"articleBody":"When you’re laid up with the aches, pains, and coughs of the flu, the last thing you probably feel like doing is eating. But your body needs fuel to keep it going while your immune system fights off the infection. And what you feed it can boost that effort \u2014 or leave you feeling a little worse. Here’s what to eat when you’re sick with the flu.There’s a Reason Your Mother Made You Chicken SoupThe recommendation to eat chicken soup goes back much further than your mother or grandmother. In fact, it was an Egyptian Jewish philosopher-physician named Moshe ben Maimonides who first recommended chicken soup for respiratory tract illnesses in the 12th century.Research nine centuries later is shedding new light on the science behind eating chicken soup when you have a cold or the flu. Chicken soup with vegetables appeared to have a mild anti-inflammatory effect in at least one study. An often-cited study published four decades ago found that chicken soup seems to loosen up mucus and improve respiratory symptoms. But a lot of unanswered questions remain.Drink Plenty of Fluids \u2014 and Some Green TeaWhen fighting a fever, it’s more important than ever to stay hydrated. Drinking water, broth, and other fluids will help keep your body hydrated. If your stomach can tolerate it, it’s fine to have a cup or two of coffee. Contrary to popular belief, normal coffee consumption does not contribute to dehydration. (Alcohol, on the other hand, is dehydrating and should be avoided.)While coffee is acceptable, it’s even better to brew a cup of tea. A study in 2018 reviewed existing research on catechins, an antioxidant compound found in tea, especially green tea. The researchers found some evidence that green tea catechins reduce cold and flu symptoms.Foods Rich in Vitamin DVitamin D is a bit of a mystery nutrient. Scientists understand a good amount about its importance to the body. However, they have a lot more to learn about what vitamin D can and can’t do. Scientists also still aren’t sure whether supplements are as beneficial as getting vitamin D from your diet and the sun.But there’s enough evidence to suggest vitamin D does have anti-inflammatory effects and may boost the immune system’s ability to fight the flu. The food with the most vitamin D is fatty fish, such as tuna and salmon. Dairy products, such as milk and cheese, and eggs, also contain some vitamin D. Other foods, such as orange juice, soy milk, and some cereals, may be fortified with it.Fruits and VegetablesIt’s no surprise that what’s good for you when you’re sick is the same as when you’re healthy. Flavonoids (found in citrus) and antioxidants (found in a wide range of fruits and vegetables) may help support the immune system.Foods rich with antioxidants include berries, beans, beets, and leafy greens (and yes, a bit of dark chocolate). You can also get the antioxidant glutathione, which appears to help fight infections, from these foods:TomatoesAlmondsWalnutsCabbageAvocadosGarlicCucumberBroccoliSpinachAsparagusBrussels sproutsFoods That Are Easy to DigestAny food that makes your digestive system work harder to break it down is taking away precious energy from the rest of your body when you’re sick. That means avoiding greasy or fried foods and any foods high in saturated fat. These can all take a toll on your gastrointestinal system. Instead go for simple carbohydrates that take it easy on your body, such as crackers, toast, and light noodles.SourcesBarbara O. Rennard et al. Chicken soup inhibits neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro. Chest. October 2000. LinkBeata M. Gruber-Bzura. Vitamin D and Influenza\u2014Prevention or Therapy? International Journal of Molecular Sciences. August 2018. LinkDaisuke Furushima et al. Effect of Tea Catechins on Influenza Infection and the Common Cold with a Focus on Epidemiological\/Clinical Studies. Molecules. July 2018. LinkElizabeth Lissiman et al. Garlic for the common cold. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. November 2014. LinkFred Rosner. Therapeutic Efficacy of Chicken Soup. Chest. October 1980. LinkJung San Chang et al. Fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale) has anti-viral activity against human respiratory syncytial virus in human respiratory tract cell lines. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. January 2013. LinkKiumars Saketkhoo et al. Effects of drinking hot water, cold water, and chicken soup on nasal mucus velocity and nasal airflow resistance. Chest. October 1978. LinkMaria A. Puertollano et al. Dietary antioxidants: immunity and host defense. Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry. 2011. LinkPietro Ghezzi. Role of glutathione in immunity and inflammation in the lung. International Journal of General Medicine. 2011. LinkR. J. Maughan et al. Caffeine ingestion and fluid balance: a review. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. December 2003. LinkRuth M. Hobson. Hydration Status and the Diuretic Action of a Small Dose of Alcohol. Alcohol and Alcoholism. July-August 2010. LinkWanda C. Reygaert. Green Tea Catechins: Their Use in Treating and Preventing Infectious Diseases. BioMed Research International. July 2018. LinkXiaoshuang Dai et al. Consuming Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) Mushrooms Daily Improves Human Immunity: A Randomized Dietary Intervention in Healthy Young Adults. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. April 2015. 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