Can I eat chocolate when I’m sick? This is a common question that’s asked by many folks who are looking for natural remedies for a cold or flu.

Since chocolate has been known to have many health benefits, it is no surprise that people often wonder if eating chocolate will be beneficial for a sore throat or cold.

Chocolate is actually one of the five foods that scientists recommend when it comes to fighting flu symptoms. Cocoa is extremely beneficial for colds and flu due to its theobromine properties that block the sensory nerves and reduces the cough reflex.

For many people, the first sign of sniffles means overloading on multivitamins. However, there are many who also swear by dark chocolate as a natural remedy for a cold or sore throat. That said, it’s wise to get familiar with how chocolate works and how to use it correctly when trying to get rid of a cold.

We have tried out many natural remedies through the years, including dark chocolate, and can help guide you on how to use it the right way.

Using Chocolate when Sick

You might as well get some dark chocolate on your way to the shop for tissues and cough pills. That's right: dark chocolate with at least 70% cacao has been shown to help with cold and flu symptoms in studies.

Caffeine boosts metabolism by promoting the production of fatty acids, which raises body temperature, according to nutritional research. Give it a try; you'll feel better from the inside out. The greatest way to warm up is to curl up with a cup of delicious hot chocolate, especially if you have a cold.

So, how can chocolate help with your cold? To begin with, chocolate is stickier than typical cough syrup. That is, it coats your throat better, avoiding irritation that leads you to cough. When the nerve endings in our throat become hypersensitive as a result of a cold or the flu, we cough, spreading the infection. Chocolate, like honey, is thick and sticky, calming the nerves and instantly soothing a cough.

Chocolate may be the ideal cough treatment since it includes components that offer additional health advantages in addition to its excellent consistency. It can aid in the reduction of cholesterol, the maintenance of youthful skin, and other benefits.

A cup of hot chocolate may seem pleasant, but it won't relieve your cough. Cough treatment containing cocoa appears to be the most effective, but until that is available, try carefully sucking on a piece of good dark chocolate. This allows the tasty candy to coat your throat and provide quick cough alleviation.

What to Drink When You Have a Cold?

It's a phrase you've undoubtedly heard before. When you're unwell, you should drink a lot of water. While you want to keep your body hydrated so that it can fight pathogens, that’s not the only beverage you’ll need to get rid of a cold.

However, it is conceivable, however seldom, to consume too much water or other liquids. As a result, you shouldn't be drinking buckets of water or gallons of green tea. The majority of individuals do not drink enough water. But, like with so many things, the key is to strike a balance. Even if you're healthy, drinking too much water can strain your liver and kidneys, making it more difficult for them to eliminate pollutants.

Instead, you might want to drink a few extra glasses of fluid throughout the day than the commonly advised eight glasses of water. This should enable you to obtain what you require without going overboard.

How Hot Chocolate Helps?

Hot liquids, like a warm cup of hot chocolate are claimed to ease congestion – but is this true? The answer is, yes, it is correct. This was studied by researchers at Cardiff University's Common Cold Center in the United Kingdom. Their findings backed up the theory that hot liquids can aid with most cold and flu symptoms. A runny nose, sore throat, and exhaustion were all relieved quickly and effectively by the hot liquids.

Cocoa includes a substance that may aid in the prevention of cold symptoms. Doctors discovered that cocoa in chocolate might help treat a chronic cough and that it was more effective than the finest cough medication.

Chocolate is also one of the most antioxidant-rich foods. It also causes your brain to create feel-good hormones. But the advantages don't end there. In fact, cocoa may be one of the healthiest foods you can consume, second only to water.

Naturally, not all chocolate is created equal. Dark chocolate (at least 70% cacao) and cocoa powders are the finest choices (without added sugar). Also, look for organic and fair-trade chocolate to avoid contributing to the problem. Also, look for organic and fair-trade chocolate to avoid supporting child enslavement.

Cacao is the most natural, unprocessed kind of chocolate available. It has the highest concentration of minerals and antioxidants. And it's been utilized for health benefits by numerous civilizations throughout history. Cocoa, on the other hand, is processed at high temperatures and is still a healthy choice.

Combine cocoa powder, boiling water, and your preferred plant-based milk to make a nutritious and simple hot beverage. Adding a pinch of cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne pepper is also a good idea; cayenne can help lessen the duration of a cold or flu.  You may be able to consume chocolate later in the day or even before night because it is less stimulating than certain teas, such as green tea.

When consuming hot beverages, be sure they're not too hot. The World Health Organization's cancer agency has determined that drinking extremely hot liquids is "probably carcinogenic." What does it mean when something is too hot? Water that is hotter than tap water but not as hot as boiling water.

To keep healthy throughout the winter, you might wish to drink a nice cup of cocoa every day. Having some hot chocolate every day might help you from catching the flu. Drinking chocolate every morning was discovered to boost the body's inherent ability to resist the flu virus in a human experiment.

Chocolate offers many health benefits so remove the wrapper off your favorite chocolate bar even if you don't have a cough. Even if there isn't any evidence to back it up, chocolate can brighten up any day.