Coffee as a Decongestant in Colds, Flu and Asthma

[rayne]

Caffeine opens narrowed bronchial tubes, according to Joe and Teresa Graedon, authors of The People's Pharmacy. According to a report in the Annals of Epidemiology, the odds of experiencing current asthma symptoms were reduced 29 percent for subjects who drank coffee on a regular basis when compared with non-coffee drinkers.

I found this while reading about herbal health on the internet. I never knew that coffee was good for a cold. Did you?

 

[Myrrh]

I am a big fan of coffee, and I like to have a cup whenever I feel sick because coffee has a comforting effect on me. I never thought that coffee can help relieve cold and flu symptoms.

 

[happyrociante]

I was told that when I was younger. I was diagnosed with asthma quite young and they had a heck of a time getting my symptoms regulated. It wasn't until I went to a specialist when I was 18 that I finally became symptom free for the most part. Anyway, it is the caffeine in the coffee that helps to open up the air passages of your lungs. I can't tell you if it works because I never liked coffee so I never tried it. My asthma symptoms were too severe to try it anyway. I would think this would work more as a mild bronchitis type of remedy or maybe a slight case of lung constriction.

 

[dissn_it]

I like to drink coffee when I have a cold because it is a nice hot liquid. I didn't know that is actually helped with opening up airways!

 

[JudithFunnie]

I don't drink coffee too often, but I will next time I'm feeling stuffed up.

 

[Waynefire]

The reason for this is caffeine which is a derivative of the same medication they give you in the hospitals. So it can act as a Xanthine bronchodialator to help open the bronchials. I know with my Asthma if it is bugging me I can drink a can of pop or a big cup of coffee and have some relief.​

 

[Isabellas2007]

I wish I could drink this when I have a cold or cough. Unfortunately I have some heart issues which does not allow me to have any of the coffee.

 

[Anna T]

I didn't know, but it doesn't surprise me. The heat probably helps soothe the throat and the caffeine might help with picking you up out of the fog that a cold puts you in.

 

[ssamcd]

Yes, I heard before about the coffee for asthma. If you are around someone with an asthma attack a cup of coffee will help them. When I have a cold and feel congested and hard to breath I do have some coffee to clear it up. It is good for that quick fix. Plus I love my coffee.

 

[letusbefree]

This makes me so happy! I drink coffee every day, and I'm always trying to stock up on more facts to share with people when they accuse me of being an addict (caffeine improves short-term memory!). However, I'm not sure if this particular solution would work for me, because I always take my coffee with milk or cream, and I've heard that milk is terrible for congestion and aids in the production of mucus. :/ I guess I'm going to have to learn to take it black for the next time I'm sick...

 

[shaunche]

I'm not too sure about this, judging by the experience of my Dad. My Dad has had a congestion problem for most of his life, his knows is always blocked up and he can't taste food very well, yet he drinks loads of coffee, up to 8 cups a day.

 

[Carolynn]

I have had to use the coffee trick many times to stop an asthma attack for myself. The trick is making it really strong, like one or two more scoops than you normally use. Having your coffee in the bathroom with a very hot shower steaming it up is a staple in this house.

 

[misumaru15]

This is interesting. I had no idea. I know that it works on some with high blood pressure. Like some prescription diuretics coffee can make you have to urinate more often, thus driving down blood pressure.

 

[gar]

I'm now confuse. There is also a study saying drinking coffee can make a man lose his ability to make a woman pregnant as coffee can lessen the sperm counts - this is what i've read somewhere, is this also true?

 

[Laurasav]

I've never heard this before, but find it very interesting. My husband is a big coffee drinker and it's rare that he gets sick. I get sick too often and stay sick for long periods of time, with horrible breathing problems and asthma symptoms. Too bad I can't stand the taste of coffee. I love how it smells though. I also have heart problems and am supposed to stay away from caffeine.

 

[Esperahol]

I'm now confuse. There is also a study saying drinking coffee can make a man lose his ability to make a woman pregnant as coffee can lessen the sperm counts - this is what i've read somewhere, is this also true?

Doubtful, considering the number of babyboomers and the large population in the Middle East... I mean considering the rate of coffee drinking I would think those numbers wouldn't be possible.

 

[MellowGuy]

I don't drink anything with milk when I have a cold, flu, etc... . Dairy is known to cause more phlegm production which is something I hate during sickness. This includes coffee because I usually like milk with my coffee. I guess this would still be worth a try with a non dairy milk.

 

[Esperahol]

I don't drink anything with milk when I have a cold, flu, etc... . Dairy is known to cause more phlegm production which is something I hate during sickness. This includes coffee because I usually like milk with my coffee. I guess this would still be worth a try with a non dairy milk.

Adding milk to coffee is said to leech calcium from your bones... not that it matters since it seems most things are leeching calcium out of folks these days.

 

[MellowGuy]

Adding milk to coffee is said to leech calcium from your bones... not that it matters since it seems most things are leeching calcium out of folks these days.

My limited knowledge on the subject does make me think twice about dairy. Besides biased PETA information and such, it does strike me as weird that there are countries who drink very little milk but have far less problems with bone loss, osteoporosis and hip fractures.

 

[Esperahol]

My limited knowledge on the subject does make me think twice about dairy. Besides biased PETA information and such, it does strike me as weird that there are countries who drink very little milk but have far less problems with bone loss, osteoporosis and hip fractures.

You have to wonder if it is something the matter with the milk or with everything else. Someone needs to do a study or something.