Good Lifestyle

Some of us cannot imagine spending a day without our morning Cup of coffee . But if you wake up sniffing with a sore throat, should you really indulge yourself? While many say that a hot drink can help alleviate the symptoms of a cold, there are other factors concerning the coffee you should consider before choosing it as your sick drink of choice. To help you determine if you can have this cup of Joe, we talked to the doctors to find out how it could affect your illness. Read the rest to find out what they recommend.

In relation: 6 habits of bedtime who never fall sick .

In July, the market company Drive Research published the Results of a survey They led among more than 1,500 people across the country to shed light on how coffee plays a role in our culture. According to the survey, 74% of Americans admitted to drink coffee every day. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

Even if they do not drink it daily, 87% of respondents said they considered themselves at least somewhat obsessed with coffee.

"This suggests that coffee plays a central role in the life of a large part of the population, indicating its popularity and its cultural meaning widespread in American society," explained the researchers.

But what is particularly interesting is that most people also believe that drinking coffee is GOOD for them. The survey revealed that 56% of Americans are strongly or somewhat agree that coffee consumption benefits their health.

What about drinking coffee if you are already sick, however?

In relation: 30 health benefits from your cup of coffee .

Research has praised a number of health benefits associated with coffee. But if you already feel sick, it is important to remember that "coffee is a diuretic", " Raj dasgutta , Md, chief medical advisor For Sleepopolis, says Better life . In other words, caffeine increases the production of urine, which decreases the amount of liquid In your body, according to the Mayo clinic.

"Consequently, this drink can dehydrate you and worsen the symptoms when you are sick," said Dasgutta more.

When you have a cold or flu, you may experience symptoms such as perspiration, vomiting and diarrhea, all already exacerbate loss of liquid ,, Mitchell Rosner , a nephrologist who focuses on liquid and electrolyte disorders, said The Washington Post .

Staying hydrated helps reconstruct the liquids you lose in case of illness and can help you become more sick or need hospitalization. According to Rosner, a lack of fluids can lower blood pressure and prevent the blood from flowing towards your heart and other vital organs.

"When you are well hydrated, my experience is that most patients feel better," he added.

However, you don't just need to worry about the coffee dehydration effects when you are sick.

"It can also irritate the mucosa of the stomach and exacerbate the symptoms of acid gastritis and reflux," said Dasgutta.

Cameron Heinz , MD, certified of the board of directors Internal medicine doctor And a health expert at Mobility Nest, warns that caffeine can also raise your heart rate and blood pressure ", which may not be ideal if you already feel these symptoms because of your disease."

It turns out that caffeine can even have a negative impact on the duration of your disease, according to Dasgutta.

"The stimulating nature of caffeine can be counterproductive when you are dealing with a viral infection, because one of the things you really have to do is rest and sleep to help your body recover", sharing -he.

In relation: 25 ways to strengthen your energy without coffee .

This is not all bad news for coffee lovers.

"Coffee is rich in antioxidants, which can help fight oxidative stress in the body", " Mo Janson , Md, general practitioner Work with Welzo, says Better life .

The stimulating effects of caffeine can also be useful if you have tasks or work that you cannot push in case of illness, according to Janson.

"If you feel tired or groggy of the disease, a moderate quantity of caffeine can help stimulate vigilance and concentration," he notes.

And it is better to reach a cup of Joe while you are sick than something like an energy drink, which generally has "more caffeine than coffee cup" and does not contain the same antioxidants as coffee that can "Stimulate system immunity and help fight infections," according to Dasgutta.

Heinz says there may even be negative effects by drinking coffee during a disease for some people. "For example, if you are used to taking a cup of daily coffee and suddenly stop drinking it, you might feel weaning symptoms that could further exacerbate your illness," he noted.

So while experts tell you can Drink coffee in the event of a patient, whether or not you can "vary from person to person and depends on a few factors", explains Dasgupta. These include the severity of your disease, your caffeine tolerance and the medications you take, according to the Sleepopolis medical advisor.

"If you have a sweet cold, you may be able to tolerate coffee without any problem," he said. "However, if you have a more serious illness, such as flu, coffee can dehydrate you and worsen your symptoms."

Overall, Heinz says the best action plan is to listen to your own body when you are sick.

"If you notice that drinking coffee aggravates your symptoms or feeling you more sick, it is better to avoid it completely. On the other hand, if you can tolerate a small amount without undergoing negative effects, it could Be normal to have a cup or two, "he said. "It is simply crucial to prioritize your well-being and overall comfort when you decide to consume coffee in the event of a patient."

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Best Life offers the most up -to -date information for high -level experts, new research and health agencies, but our content is not supposed to replace professional advice. Regarding the medication you take or any other health issue you have, always consult your health care provider directly.