Can you eat chestnuts during a cold?

Written by Liao Bin
Pulmonology
Updated on January 06, 2025
00:00
00:00

During a cold, it is advisable to eat fewer chestnuts.

Although chestnuts are rich in proteins, vitamins, and carbohydrates, and can provide the necessary substances for the body, especially high in carbohydrates, providing the body's energy, it is important to note that chestnuts are warm in nature. Eating too many during a cold can possibly induce symptoms of 'internal heat', leading even to sore throats, which is not conducive to alleviating the condition.

Furthermore, during a cold, the patient’s digestive function generally declines, particularly in those with gastroenteric colds, who may also experience significant nausea, abdominal bloating and pain, diarrhea, etc. Consuming too many chestnuts at this time can potentially cause an increase in abdominal symptoms like bloating and nausea, which are not conducive to recovery and might worsen the patient's appetite. Therefore, during a cold, it is recommended to avoid spicy, stimulating, and hard-to-digest foods.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
44sec home-news-image

What cold medicine should I take if I catch a cold from the rain?

What cold medicine should I take if I catch a cold from getting caught in the rain? It is mainly about choosing symptomatic treatment medicines. Getting caught in the rain leads to a decrease in immunity due to getting chilled, which can cause a viral infection and symptoms of a cold. If there is a fever, you can choose antipyretic analgesics such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. If you have a sore throat, cough, or runny nose, you can choose vitamin-based medicines to promote the repair of tissue mucosa, in combination with medicines that dilute phlegm and control gland secretion for symptomatic treatment. Generally, antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine maleate can be chosen.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Ying
Cardiology
36sec home-news-image

What should I do if I have a cold with heart failure?

Infections are a primary cause of worsening heart failure. Patients with heart failure who catch a cold should treat the cold, and if the cold exacerbates the heart failure, they should also treat the heart failure simultaneously. Patients with heart failure should always try to avoid infections by regularly ventilating their living spaces, avoiding crowded places prone to cross-infections, and dressing appropriately for the weather. Additionally, patients should engage in appropriate exercise to boost their immune system, but they must balance activity and rest.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Qiu Xin Hui
Traditional Chinese Medicine
1min 1sec home-news-image

Symptoms of wind-heat cold

Wind-heat cold is caused by the invasion of wind-heat evil that disturbs the exterior and disrupts the lung Qi. There are many factors that can cause a patient to be affected by wind-heat, such as being chilled, getting rained on, excessive fatigue, poor resistance, and pre-existing chronic respiratory diseases. The main symptoms include fever, slight aversion to cold or sweating, nasal congestion, sneezing, thick nasal discharge, headache, sore throat, thick phlegm in coughs, thin yellow coating on the tongue, and a floating and rapid pulse. The treatment principle involves clearing heat and resolving the exterior, ventilating the lungs and clearing heat, for which the prepared Chinese medicine, Banlangen granules, can be used. Regular diet should avoid spicy, dry, and irritating foods that cause excessive heat, and should include more fresh vegetables and fruits that clear heat and detoxify. (Specific medications should be taken under the guidance of a physician.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
1min home-news-image

Can you eat zongzi when you have a cold?

During a cold, it is appropriate to eat some zongzi, but it is recommended not to eat ones that are too sweet. Colds are very common and are considered upper respiratory infections. Generally, most colds are viral infections and this condition typically lasts about a week before it resolves on its own. There are many factors that can trigger a cold, whether it is a viral infection, bacterial infection, or a common virus and some influenza viruses causing upper respiratory infections, patients generally may experience varying degrees of fever. Therefore, it is advised that patients with a cold should avoid eating overly sweet zongzi and preferably eat plain zongzi or those of other flavors. As some patients with a cold may have a fever that could affect normal digestive function, it is advisable to maintain a light diet during a cold, and eating a small amount of zongzi is acceptable.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Xue Qing
Gastroenterology
43sec home-news-image

How to reduce fever from a stomach flu?

Generally, physical cooling methods such as wiping with alcohol or applying ice packs to areas with large arteries like the armpits, groin, or neck can be used to dissipate heat, but it is important to prevent frostbite. Secondly, you can drink herbal teas that clear heat, such as chrysanthemum tea or honeysuckle tea. Massages can also help reduce fever, focusing on acupoints like Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Dazhui (GV 14), and Yongquan (KI 1). Additionally, antipyretic and analgesic medications can be taken to help reduce fever. (Specific medications should be taken under the guidance of a physician.)