Theoretically, most fruits can be consumed during a cold, as there is no necessary connection between having a cold and consuming any specific fruit. Eating fruits will not exacerbate the clinical symptoms of a cold nor affect its outcome.

Since a cold is a self-limiting disease caused by a viral infection, it might present with symptoms such as fever, cough, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sore throat. Moreover, most fruits contain an abundance of water and vitamins, which provide beneficial replenishments for the losses caused by the cold. However, if it is a gastroenteric type of cold, it is generally advisable to avoid raw and cold fruits, such as those high in amino acids or those that can easily cause diarrhea, common examples being grapes and bananas.