Does drinking hot water help ease a cold?
When you have a stuffy nose, blocked ears, or a throat full of mucus, people often recommend steaming over a bowl of hot water. This isn’t for no reason, as the heat from the steam loosens the built up mucus, so it can flow, which lets you breathe easier.
Drinking hot water can help you to do the same and it’s a great way to start your day, whenever you’re feeling bunged up. There’s another benefit too – hot water can bust the bacteria that causes your sore throat in the first place, easing your pain and bringing relief to your respiratory system.
There is some scientific evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of hot beverages when you’re under the weather – one study carried out on 30 people, showed that hot drinks can offer both a temporary and sustained improvement in cold symptoms – including nasal airflow, runny nose, cough, and sore throat!
