Fight a cold by eating yogurt?

Fight a cold by  eating yogurt?

Studies that have looked at probiotics have found promising results in terms of reducing the duration and incidence of colds.

However, specific benefits can only be attributed to the actual strains studied — which do not necessarily exist in regular, non-supplemented yogurt, according to Rubin.

For example, conventional yogurt contains Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus — two cultures that are integral to the yogurt making process, and as such are known as “starter cultures.”

While these are beneficial bacteria, they are not necessarily the same probiotics that have been studied in clinical trials, according to Rubin.

“We know yogurt is a nutritious food choice and we know probiotics are beneficial to health, so including them in an overall healthy eating plan makes sense, but recommending them specifically for the common cold would be premature,” said Rubin.

“We know yogurt is a nutritious food choice and we know probiotics are beneficial to health, so including them in an overall healthy eating plan makes sense, but recommending them specifically for the common cold would be premature,” said Rubin.

Yogurt also contains another immune booster: zinc. Research indicates that zinc can reduce the duration of cold symptoms, but the amounts of zinc needed for benefits — at least 75 milligrams — is much higher than the 2 milligrams present in an 8-ounce cup of yogurt.

Carbohydrates in yogurt provide energy, which are important in helping you recover from a cold, according to King. And one recent study, funded by the National Dairy Council, found that when women consumed yogurt every day for nine weeks, they had reduced inflammatory markers in their blood — findings that suggest a mechanism by which yogurt might be helpful in fighting off cold symptoms.

“The common cold and its symptoms are an inflammatory response to the bug … such that if yogurt or other foods reduced inflammation, it could in theory be beneficial — but we need more research to know for sure,” said Rubin.

The bottom line

Though the ability of yogurt to help fight a cold is, at best, theoretical right now, experts say there’s no good reason not to choose yogurt when you have the sniffles or difficulty swallowing.

“I wouldn’t rely solely on yogurt to fight the cold, but in conjunction with a healthy diet, yogurt may be beneficial,” said King.

“Yogurt is smooth and goes down easy, so if you have a sore throat, or even a runny nose, it’s comfortable to eat,” added Rubin.

So choose yogurt for its soothing texture and nutritional attributes, which include calcium and vitamin D, along with possible cold fighters like zinc and probiotics — but not necessarily as a primary therapy for a cold.

For maximum benefits, King recommends eating plain yogurt with other antioxidant-rich foods, such as berries, which contribute natural sweetness, in addition to more cold-fighting nutrients. “Pairing yogurt with blueberries or strawberries will give you an extra dose of vitamin C and antioxidants to fight the cold off,” she said.

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories