Hot fruit drinks really do work against cold and flu symptoms!

A hot fruit drink really is the best way to alleviate the symptoms of the common cold, according to recent research carried out by scientists at Cardiff University’s Common Cold Centre.

Scientists gave hot apple or blackcurrant drinks to 30 volunteers suffering from the common cold. They found the hot drinks provided relieved typical cold symptoms such as runny nose, coughing, sneezing, sore throat, chilliness and tiredness. The same drinks served at room temperature only helped a runny nose, coughing and sneezing.

The Centre’s Director, Professor Ron Eccles, urged people suffering from colds or flu to have a hot drink to help reduce their symptoms. He commented:

'With temperatures falling and Christmas just round the corner, cold viruses love this time of year. Having a bottle of fruit cordial in the cupboard and making a hot drink could help fight off the symptoms of festive cold and flu. The big advantage of this type of treatment is that it is cheap as well as safe and effective.'

Although many people already use hot drinks as a remedy for colds, this was the first time scientific research investigated whether it actually worked.

The Common Cold Centre is the world’s only centre dedicated to researching and testing new medicines for treatment of the symptoms of flu and the common cold. It is based in Cardiff University and celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

This article was published on Tue 9 December 2008