喝雞湯真的能治感冒嗎？科學家幫你辨別感冒食療真假

Experts have revealed whether six food staples and supplements really prevent colds and flu.

專家揭示了六種食物和補品是否真能預防感冒和流感。

While honey has long been praised for reducing the symptoms of colds, science reveals it does little more than soothe sore throats.

儘管蜂蜜一直被人們譽爲可以緩解感冒症狀，但科學家認爲它僅能緩解喉嚨痛。

Although an old wives tale claims chicken soup cures a host of ailments, it may simply provide a comforting meal and hydration boost, according to dietitian and British Dietetic Association spokesperson Aisling Pigott.

還有傳統說法認爲雞湯能治癒很多小毛病，但英國飲食協會發言人、營養學家愛斯琳-皮高特說，其實這僅能讓你舒服地吃上一頓，補充水分。

下面就一起來看看這六種食品的真假功效。

Echinacea 紫錐菊提取物補充劑

Although often hailed for reducing the severity and symptoms of colds, a 2014 Cochrane review into 24 studies found the flower supplement does not significantly reduce the length of time people suffer with the sniffles.

儘管很多人認爲紫錐菊可以緩解感冒症狀，2014年柯克蘭的一項針對24個研究的回顧調查顯示，利用紫錐菊提取物製作的補充劑不能顯著縮短鼻塞病程。

Ms Pigott claims there is insufficient evidence to recommend echinacea, however, if people wish to take the supplement it will unlikely do them any harm.

皮高特女士稱，沒有足夠的證據支持人們服用紫錐菊補充劑。但如果人們想要服用，也沒什麼壞處。

Honey 蜂蜜

An old wives tale praises honey for soothing sore throats and suppressing coughs, however, there is little evidence to support this, with many 'pro-honey' studies being funded by companies with conflicts of interest, according to Ms Pigott.

傳統觀點認爲蜂蜜可以緩解喉嚨痛，還可以鎮咳，但這並沒有什麼證據能證明。皮高特表示，很多贊成感冒時吃蜂蜜的研究都是有利益關係的公司資助的。

She adds, however, honey is harmless providing people are aware of its high-sugar content and unsuitability to children under one due to the risk of botulism.

她補充說，在人們知道含糖量高的情況下蜂蜜無害，由於肉毒中毒風險一歲以內嬰兒不宜食用。

Zinc lozenges 鋅錠

Zinc lozenges have been shown to reduce the duration of cold symptoms, such as nasal congestion, coughing and a sore throat, however, dietitian Lauren McGuckin warns many contain high amounts of sugar.

鋅錠可以縮短一些感冒症狀的持續時間，比如鼻塞、咳嗽和喉嚨痛。但營養學家勞倫-麥古金提醒說，很多鋅錠片含糖量較高。

People may be better off upping their food sources by eating more seafood, lamb, beef and pumpkin seeds.

人們如果多吃海鮮、羊肉、牛肉和南瓜籽來攝入更多相關營養元素，效果會更好。

Chicken soup 雞湯

Ms Pigott told NetDoctor: 'There is little evidence to suggest that "chicken soup" per se reduces the symptoms of a cold.'

皮高特女士告訴“網絡醫生”說：“沒有多少證據表明雞湯本身能緩解感冒症狀。”

She adds, however, the warming and nutritious meal may help restore sufferers' energy levels, as well as giving them a hydration boost.

她補充說，喝上熱乎乎且營養豐富的雞湯能給患者補充能量和水分。

Garlic 大蒜

Ms McGuckin said: 'Garlic contains a compound called allicin, which has been shown to be beneficial for the immune system.

麥古金女士說：“大蒜中含有大蒜素，對免疫系統有好處。”

'However, the way in which garlic is processed can affect the potency of allicin.'

“但大蒜的加工過程會影響大蒜素的功效。”

She therefore recommends people crush, slice or dice garlic to reap the biggest benefits.

她建議人們把大蒜壓碎、切片或者切成蒜末以獲得最大功效。

A 2015 Cochrane study review also found garlic is effective at treating and preventing sniffles.

2015年柯克蘭的一項研究也發現，大蒜對治療和預防鼻塞有效。

Vitamin C 維生素C

Vitamin C is critical to the proper functioning of the immune system, however, evidence suggests it only reduces the length of colds, rather than preventing them.

維生素C對免疫系統的正常運行非常關鍵，但有證據顯示它僅能縮短病程，而不是預防感冒。

Dietitian and BDA spokesperson Amanda Squire still recommends people with colds up their vitamin-C consumption via citrus fruits as these sharp flavours may ease congestion and, when taken with honey and warm water, can be soothing.

英國飲食協會發言人、營養學家阿曼達-斯夸爾仍建議患上感冒的人們多食用柑橘類水果攝入更多維生素C，因爲水果濃烈的味道能緩解充血癥狀，而且和熱蜂蜜水一起服用還能讓人感覺更舒服。

A healthy, balanced diet also gives people's bodies a better chance of fighting off viral infections, such as colds.

健康平衡的飲食也能讓身體更容易打敗病毒感染，比如感冒。

Vitamin C is found in all fruits and vegetables but is particularly high in citrus, red peppers, berries, kale and broccoli.

所有的果蔬都含有維生素C，但在柑橘類、紅辣椒、漿果、羽衣甘藍和花椰菜中含量尤其高。