(Evengulpthrowing out your favorite, newly germ-infestedred lipstick.)
But giving up coffee?
If youre a daily java drinker, thats a tough call to make.
In some ways, it can hinder your bodys ability to bounce back.
Scientific studies have repeatedly shown thatcoffee can impact sleep1even when consumed six hours before getting into bed.
(Unless youre brewing decaf, coffee is definitely full of caffeine.)
registered dietitian based in Nashville, TN
Thats not exactly great news when youre trying to get back to normal.
But coffee also has some properties that can get you up and running.
Scientific studies have shown that caffeine is linked to helping with bothimmune health and preventing inflammation2.
So whats the verdict?
To settle the caffeine-or-cough syrup dilemma for good, I consulted Nashville-based dietitianJenny Beth Kroplin, RD.
Should you drink coffee when sick?
Lets start with the bad news.
So, is coffee good for mucus in throat?
Plus, coffee and illness dont exactly mix well together when it comes to getting adequate rest, either.
registered dietitian based in Nashville, TN
A caffeine hit can interrupt your sleep, which also makes it a risky beverage choice when youre sick.
Its also worth noting whycoffee can upset your stomach, which can further exacerbate your ailments.
What happens if you continue drinking coffee when sick
But its not all buzzkill (literally).
Coffee actually has some merits when it comes to feeling better.
This can all be helpful to the body in healing from an illness.
Plus, thepolyphenols4in coffee may be helpful in reducing inflammation.
But the most obvious benefit of coffee when youre sick isyou guessed itan energy boost.
One study found that coffee helped reduce thegeneral malaise associated with colds.
(The sick participants who had decaf coffee also saw improvement).
The caffeine from coffee can actually help offset that sluggish feeling and boost your mood, Kroplin says.
And thats especially beneficial if you justcanttake a sick day from work.
The verdict
Bottom line?
If a warm, comforting cup of joe sounds good, have one, Kroplin says.
Chances are, if consumed in moderation, the effects wont be too grave.
What to drink when youre sick?
If youre wonderingwhat to drink when sick?
That said, there is one major, major caveat to all this advice: If youre taking medication.
In both cases, its important to know thatsome medications arenotmeant to be combined with coffee.
Ephedrine
Ephedrine and coffee are both stimulants and taking both can increase blood pressure.
Theophylline
Theophylline isnt technically a stimulant, but there are some qualities about it that are similar to caffeine.
Otherwise, youre putting yourself at risk for experiencing a racing heartnot fun when youre already feeling pretty horrible.
Echinacea
This herbis commonly found in medications because its immune-supporting as well as helpful in relieving pain.
The end result could once again be a racing heart and increased blood pressure.
TL;DR?
Still unsure about whether or not you should have someone hit up Starbucks for you?
Thats fine toojust remember to check your medications.
Soon, youll be back up and running.
Just think how happy your local barista will be to see you.
How to make a coffee replacement to drink until you feel better:
Drake, Christopher et al.
15 Nov. 2013, doi:10.5664/jcsm.3170
Loftfield, Erikka et al.
24,7 (2015): 1052-60. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-15-0038-T
Yashin, Alexander et al.
Antioxidant and Antiradical Activity of Coffee.Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)vol.
15 Oct. 2013, doi:10.3390/antiox2040230
Hussain, Tarique et al.
Oxidative Stress and Inflammation: What Polyphenols Can Do for Us?.Oxidative medicine and cellular longevityvol.
2016 (2016): 7432797. doi:10.1155/2016/7432797
Smith, A et al.
Caffeine and the common cold.Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)vol.
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