that's a great question! bravo to you for taking a moment to question the conventional wisdom. there are actually a few reasons why we exhort people to drink plenty of fluids when they come down with a cold. let's take a look at these. first drinking plenty of fluids literally can increase your blood volume and thereby scatter the virus molecules in your system so your own immune system can fight it better. think of it this way: which is the easier enemy to attack the one with 500 soldiers concentrated together or the one with bands of 10 soldiers dispersed here and there? drinking fluid can spread out the virus in your bloodstream so it's easier to attack. honestly though drinking fluids by mouth can only do so much in this regard. intravenous fluids (iv) work much better for this purpose. second drinking plenty of fluids tends to thin secretions -- i. e. : that nasty gunk that pours from your nose and gets coughed up out of your lungs. thinner secretions are easier for the body to move than thick sticky ones. thick sticky fluids can get stuck in the lower portions of the lungs and lead to pneumonia if your body can't cough them up. in this respect drinking fluids by mouth truly can make a difference in helping your body clear out mucus. finally good hydration helps medication work better. if you take any sort of over-the-counter cough and cold product (or if you are taking a prescription such as antibiotics) it requires liquid (water is best) to dissolve well in your stomach and get absorbed in the intestines. drinking plenty of water also helps your body circulate the active ingredients in those medications more easily so they work better. frankly drinking plenty of water and being well-hydrated when you have a cold simply can make you feel better. water should always be your first choice but chicken soup can't hurt either. wishing you well!
why is it important to drink plenty of fluids during a cold.