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It’s that time of the month when you’re constantly battling a cold and a runny nose. While there are numerous home remedies that can help ease the discomfort, certain foods can actually make your condition worse.

Consuming these foods when you’re down with a cold can weaken your immune system and aggravate your symptoms. To recover faster, it’s best to steer clear of them. Here are some foods that can worsen ailments like cold and runny nose — take a look:

# Juices and Other Sweetened Drinks

When suffering from a cold or runny nose, it’s best to avoid fruit juices and other sugary beverages. Craving orange or pineapple juice may be tempting, but these drinks can slow down recovery. The high sugar content in juices suppresses the ability of white blood cells to fight infections. Although juices are rich in Vitamin C, the excessive sugar counteracts its benefits and delays healing.

# Fast and Processed Foods

If you think junk or processed food will help you recover, think again. These foods are low in nutrients and can weaken your immune response. They often contain harmful additives like high fructose corn syrup, aspartame, MSG, artificial colors, and preservatives. Such ingredients put extra stress on your body, making it harder to fight off the virus.

# Fried Foods

Try to avoid fried foods as much as possible when you’re sick. These foods are high in unhealthy fats that can lower your immunity and trigger inflammation. The high calorie and fat content in fried foods can make you feel sluggish and worsen symptoms, slowing down your recovery process.

# Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the worst things you can consume during a cold. It dehydrates the body, weakens immunity, and interferes with the healing process. While some believe alcohol helps “kill germs,” it actually does more harm than good. Staying hydrated is key to recovering from a cold, and alcohol does the exact opposite.

# Acidic and Spicy Foods

During a cold, your stomach and mucous membranes are already sensitive. Spicy or acidic foods may temporarily clear your nasal passages, but they can also irritate your stomach lining and worsen inflammation. It’s best to avoid these foods until you feel better to prevent further discomfort.