Last Updated on March 4, 2024 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
A social media post claims that heating the orange and consuming it will cure cold. We fact-checked and found the claim to be Mostly false.
The Claim
A blog titled ‘HOT ORANGE JUICE RECIPE WITH SPICES FOR COLDS’ published on the website named confessionsofanover-workedmom.com claims that if heating the orange and consuming it will cure cold.
Fact Check
Does heating the orange and consuming it cure a child’s cold?
No. There is no evidence to prove that heating the orange and consuming it cures cold. We found no evidence that proves heating an orange and consuming it, is a standalone cure for the common cold.
Oranges have high vitamin C content, which plays a role in supporting the immune system. Vitamin C can reduce the severity of cold symptoms in some individuals. However, it is essential to note that vitamin C is just one of many nutrients necessary for a healthy immune system, and its impact on preventing or curing a cold varies among individuals.
However, we researched and found that orange juice is heated primarily for pasteurisation to eliminate harmful pathogens or maybe for culinary purposes. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that heating an orange significantly enhances its ability to combat a cold compared to consuming it raw.
Is there any relation between common cold and oranges?
The common cold is caused by viruses, such as rhinoviruses, and not by bacteria. As such, it cannot be cured by antibiotics but rather managed through supportive care, such as rest, hydration, and symptom relief. While a well-balanced diet can contribute to overall health and support the immune system, there is no conclusive evidence to indicate that oranges alone, whether heated or raw, are a definitive cure for the common cold in children or adults.
The effectiveness of vitamin C in preventing or reducing the severity of colds is still a subject of debate among researchers. Where a study suggests that regular intake of vitamin C might slightly reduce the duration or severity of cold symptoms in certain individuals, other studies have found no significant impact.
When dealing with health, especially regarding illnesses like the common cold, seeking professional medical advice is crucial. Relying solely on unverified remedies, such as heating and consuming oranges, may delay proper treatment or overlook more effective strategies for managing illness.
Moreover, heating an orange can lead to nutrient loss, altering taste and texture, potential messiness due to increased juice release, uneven heating causing burns, and a faster loss of freshness.
There are over 200 different mutating viruses that cause the common cold. A person usually develops a defense against these viruses only when the body is exposed to them. But developing a defence takes time. The body may take years to build immunity against these viruses. In the majority of cases, the frequency of the cold decreases over the years because people develop antibodies against various viruses as they age. General Physician Dr Kashyap Dakshini explains, ‘Common cold is not a cure, nor is it a way of detoxification of the body. Rather, it is a viral infection with symptoms like runny nose, sore throat, cough or sneezing, which may be contracted from someone who has a cold’.
Besides this, it is possible that the person has developed symptoms of cold due to allergies. Having symptoms such as sneezing a lot and a runny nose that lasts more than a month, it is possible that the person may have allergies. It is important to keep a close eye on the risk factors that trigger the symptoms of cold.
A lot of times people draw incorrect conclusions when they observe frequent episodes of cold in them. However it is recommended not to draw conclusions without properly consulting a physician.
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