Hot Drinks Help Fight Colds and Flu

A hot drink may help reduce the symptoms of common colds and flu, according to new research by Cardiff University's Common Cold Centre. New research at the Centre has found that a simple hot drink of fruit cordial can provide immediate and sustained relief from symptoms of runny nose, cough, sneezing, sore throat, chilliness and tiredness.

Published in the December 2008 edition of the clinical journal Rhinology, the research compared the effects of a commercially produced cordial apple and blackcurrant drink either hot or at room temperature in 30 volunteers with common cold symptoms.

The Centre's director, Ron Eccles, is urging people suffering from colds or flu to have a hot drink to help reduce their symptoms. "It is surprising that this is the first scientific research on the benefit of a hot drink for treating cold and flu symptoms,” Eccles said. "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."

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