Vaccination

'Starve A Fever' Adage Is Bad Advice, Virologist Warns

As winter rages on, the cold and flu season is in full swing. And with a runny nose and a pounding head, even the most skeptical among us may be tempted to turn to old wives' tales and folk remedies.

However, not only are these often ineffective, but scientists have warned that some can be harmful to our health. Take the old adage "feed a cold, starve a fever." Yes, we should feed our bodies when we have a cold, but energy and nutrients are just as important when we have a fever.

A fever, like excess mucus, is just one of our body's many defense mechanisms to get rid of bacteria and viruses. "Many [disease-causing organisms], viruses in particular, don't like high temperatures," Dr. Pedro Piedra, a professor of molecular virology, microbiology and pediatrics at the Baylor College of Medicine, told Newsweek. "The fever affects their ability to replicate."

It's peak cold and flu season, but scientists warn that folk advice can do more harm than good. A good example is "starve a cold, feed a fever." It's peak cold and flu season, but scientists warn that folk advice can do more harm than good. A good example is "starve a cold, feed a fever." Dima Berlin/Getty

But how do our bodies react to this rise in temperature? "When you have a fever, there's this increased metabolic [energy] demand," Piedra said.

In other words, we need more energy, not less. In fact, studies have shown that raising your temperature by just 1 degree Celsius increases your body's calorie consumption by 10 percent.

And that's not all. "In addition, one of the ways that your body tries to cool itself down is you actually start breathing a little faster," Piedra said. "So you need more energy, and you're also losing more water. We can more easily get dehydrated because we lose water by evaporation as we breathe."

When your throat is burning, drinking more water is quite easy to remember. But eating enough can be difficult when you are bed-bound because of nausea and malaise. "[In this case], I would suggest eating more bland types of foot," Piedra said. "A nice chicken or lamb soup gives you both the calories and dehydration, so soups are excellent [when you're sick]."

As well as fighting off the infection, fevers can also be a danger signal.

"Too much fever can be very problematic, particularly for children, so you want to keep your fever down," Piedra said. "When you're feeling unwell and you have a high fever, remember to reach out to your physician or nurse and ask for advice so that, if there's something serious, they can either see you early or give you guidance."

Is there a health problem that's worrying you? Do you have a question about colds and flu? Let us know via health@newsweek.Com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured in Newsweek.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Feed A Cold And A Fever, Experts Say

FRIDAY, Jan. 26, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- The old saying "feed a cold, starve a fever" is baloney, doctors say.

People fighting off a seasonal respiratory virus need adequate nutrition, regardless of their symptoms, according to advice from the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

Fever is just one of the many defense mechanisms the human body uses to stave off any infection, said Dr. Pedro Piedra, a professor of molecular virology, microbiology and pediatrics at Baylor.

All the body's immune responses require energy gained by eating a well-balanced diet, Piedra said. That's why sick-friendly foods like chicken noodle soup are commonly recommended.

Feeling awful from an infection might put a dent in a person's appetite, but Piedra said folks should resist that malaise and pick up a spoon or fork.

Cold weather tends to increase people's risk of catching the flu, the common cold and COVID-19, Piedra said.

That's because people tend to huddle together indoors when it's cold outside.

"Colder temperatures also allow for viruses to survive on surfaces longer, and the humidity we experience here in Houston also contributes to these viruses being able to survive outside of a host," Piedra added in a Baylor news release.

"There is also a saying that if your hair is wet and you are in a cold environment, you will get sick. That is partly true," Piedra added. "You won't contract a virus, but you may weaken your immune system, which might invite sickness."

In addition to eating enough, sick folks also need to make sure they're staying hydrated, Piedra said.

Warm tea is a great remedy, not only helping hydration but also soothing sore throats.

Sore throats also can be remedied by a warm saltwater gargle, which can ease irritation and also remove excessive mucus from the back of the throat.

Piedra also recommended that people who've just gotten sick get tested for flu or COVID and, if positive, ask their doctor about drugs that can shorten their illness.

"Antiviral drugs can be prescribed by your physician and are available to ease symptoms of various viruses, like influenza and SARS-CoV-2, but they need to be taken early on in the infection to make sure they are effective," Piedra said. "If your cold, flu or COVID infection advances and you begin having difficulty breathing, or if you move around and you don't feel well, reach out to your physician as this may be a sign that your condition is worsening."

And as always, prevention is the best cure, Piedra added.

Flu, COVID and RSV vaccines can help ward off respiratory infections, and people can minimize their risk by wearing a mask and regularly watching their hands, Piedra said.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about respiratory illness season.

SOURCE: Baylor College of Medicine, news release, Jan. 24, 2024

What This Means for You:

Eating well and staying hydrated will help you shake a respiratory infection.

"Feed A Cold, Starve A Fever": What's The Science Behind The Saying?

'Tis the season for colds and flu, and with a hefty dose of COVID-19 and other viruses thrown into the mix, chances are you or people you know are feeling pretty rough right now. When you're struck down with the sniffles, it's usually not long before a well-meaning person advises you to "feed a cold, starve a fever." But before you grab that thermometer or go ladling copious amounts of soup down your neck, we thought it worth asking: is there any science behind the saying?

Should you really "feed a cold"?

While it is perfectly fine to eat if you have a cold, it likely won't have any magical curative powers – although a small study back in 2002 did suggest that eating could have a positive impact on the adaptive immune system. Until more definitive research is performed, however, experts tend to agree that it's more important to keep an eye on your fluid intake than to worry about what you're eating.

"Both fevers and colds can cause dehydration," explains Dr Rachel Dawkins from Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital.

The body uses more water than usual when you have a cold – all that mucus stuffing up your nose has to come from somewhere. It's important that you replenish that by drinking more. Something like hot water with a touch of lemon and honey can be soothing if your throat is sore, and if you fancy a change with some fruit juice occasionally that's fine too. Even tea or coffee in moderation is okay – whatever helps keep your pee a lovely pale yellow color.

If you have an appetite, eating some nutritious food won't do you any harm when it comes to recovering from a cold. Many people throughout history have touted the benefits of chicken soup when you're under the weather, and there's a surprising amount of science to back that up. That said, a vegetarian or vegan alternative will also provide you with a lovely nutrient hit, and if you're not a fan of soup at all there are plenty of other good options. 

As registered nurse Brandi Jones wrote for VeryWell Health, foods that contain key vitamins and minerals, proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants can all help keep your energy levels up while you're sick. The main thing is to try and keep your diet as balanced as possible, and let your immune system do its work.

And don't overlook over-the-counter remedies. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help with a headache or general aches and pains, and your pharmacist might also be able to recommend a cough medicine or throat lozenges. 

Should you really "starve a fever"?

Fevers are not a common symptom of a cold, but it's more likely that you'll have a high temperature if you've come down with the flu.

According to BBC Science Focus, the idea of starving a fever dates back to the Ancient Greeks, but there's no good scientific evidence that it's necessary. 

Eating may be the last thing on your mind when you're running a temperature, but if you do feel hungry there's no medical reason to deprive yourself of food. If you've been off your food for a while or are experiencing nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting, it might be best to start with bland foods like plain toast.

However, the advice about hydration applies more than ever. 

"One of the main reasons why patients get admitted to the hospital in the setting of a flu or a virus infection is for dehydration," epidemiologist David B. Banach told Vice. 

Replenishing lost fluids is even more important if you've been sweating due to a fever, or if you're unlucky enough to have some of the unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms that can sometimes accompany the flu. In those cases, you may even want to consider an electrolyte powder or drink. And again, there are numerous over-the-counter medications that can help with all your symptoms.

To eat or not to eat? While we shouldn't always be so quick to dismiss grandma's pearls of wisdom, this one pretty much comes down to how you feel. If your fave snack makes you feel a little better, go for it. If you don't fancy any food for now, just be sure to keep that water bottle handy.

But either way, there's nothing you can eat or drink that will have a miraculous effect on your recovery. All you can really do is prevent things from getting worse while you ride it out. Which, we appreciate, is probably not the news that those of you currently fighting off the dreaded lurgy were hoping for.

All "explainer" articles are confirmed by fact checkers to be correct at time of publishing. Text, images, and links may be edited, removed, or added to at a later date to keep information current. 

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.  

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