Author: Maryam Ayres
Time for reading: ~17
minutes
Last Updated:
August 29, 2022
List of foods that help reduce body temperature. How to bring down the temperature without drugs - a complete list of products.
Content
Elevated body temperature is a characteristic feature of many infectious diseases, occurs in autoimmune pathologies, inflammatory processes.
Normal body temperature is a certain range of values, and not just 36.6 ºС, as many used to believe. The lowest body temperature is observed during the day at 5-6 o'clock, the maximum - at 17-18 o'clock.
Pyrogens cause an increase in body temperature. Pyrogens that enter the body from the environment are represented by toxins, bacteria, and viruses. Fever is also caused by pyrogenic cytokines - these are specific proteins that regulate immune and inflammatory processes in the human body.
Elevated body temperature is a protective and adaptive reaction of the body in response to the action of many pathogenic factors. During a fever, the immune response increases, the rate of reproduction of bacteria slows down, their resistance to drugs decreases, blood circulation increases in the internal organs - the liver, kidneys, brain, which accelerates the elimination of pathogens from the body. But researchers believe that a fever that exceeds the normal body temperature in adults by no more than 2-3 degrees can be adaptive, and therefore necessary to increase the body's defenses. With a sharp and prolonged increase in body temperature, on the contrary, the activity of the immune system decreases, damage to cells and organs occurs.
With an elevated body temperature associated with an infectious disease, the need for nutrients increases as the body expends a lot of energy fighting the infection. In addition, heat transfer is increased, sweating is increased, and therefore more minerals and vitamins are lost.
The higher the body temperature, the greater the body's need for fluid and energy resources.
During illness, appetite may be absent for some time - this is normal, you do not need to eat through force. When a feeling of hunger appears, it is better to give preference to easily digestible food: soups, dairy products, stewed and baked vegetables, cereals, eggs. It is possible to switch to frequent meals - 3-5 times a day in small portions. It is important to provide yourself with a sufficient amount of liquid in the form of clean water, tea, fruit drinks.
It is better to eat soft foods that are easy to chew, as hard, hard foods require a lot of energy to digest.
The diet should contain a sufficient amount of protein - this is the main resource for the functioning of the immune system. During the period of illness, it is enough to consume 1.1-1.2 g of protein per 1 kg of body weight - no more is needed so as not to overload the excretory system of the body. The protein must be varied in order to obtain all types of amino acids, both essential and non-essential.
Berries, fruits, vegetables, herbs - all these foods contain a large amount of vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the optimal functioning of the immune system.
Refined foods, sugar, juices, sugary carbonated drinks, fried, fatty foods do not bring any benefit to the body, while they require a lot of energy for digestion.
Want to know how to keep your immune system strong during cold season and avoid antibiotic use?
A team of nutritionists and healthy lifestyle coaches at MEES has prepared an Immune Support guide for you.
During a fever, the body loses a lot of fluid, vitamins and minerals. Chicken broth helps keep you hydrated and prevent dehydration.
Often, during an illness, appetite decreases, all the forces of the body are spent on fighting the infection, food that is difficult to digest can be poorly digested, and chicken broth is easily digested and saturates the body with protein - a very important element necessary for the functioning of the immune system.
chicken broth recipe
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The most popular and affordable fermented foods are yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut. These are good sources of probiotics, beneficial microorganisms in the gut microbiome. And a healthy microbiome is one of the most important components of a well-functioning immune system.
Probiotics are introduced into the intestinal mucosa and enhance its barrier functions, prevent the activation of inflammatory factors, promote the formation of a subspecies of T-cells - that is, cells of the immune system that recognize and destroy cells of foreign pathogens.
In addition, the intestinal epithelium ensures the absorption of nutrients, vitamins, trace elements, salts and water, the optimal intake of which should be ensured during illness. Probiotics also stimulate the formation of antibodies, enhancing the immune response, and have a local and systemic anti-inflammatory effect.
fermented cabbage recipe
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homemade coconut yogurt recipe
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Most fruits are 70-80% water, so they serve as an additional source of fluid for the body. In addition, fruits and berries contain many vitamins and minerals that are important for supporting the immune system and fighting infection that causes fever.
One medium orange, like one medium lemon, contains half the daily requirement of vitamin C, as well as B vitamins, copper.
Bananas are easy to chew and swallow, which can be important for the sore throat that often accompanies fever when sick. In addition, bananas are rich in potassium, manganese, magnesium, vitamin C and vitamin B6. These components strengthen the immune system and fight infectious pathogens, help reduce body temperature and speed up recovery.
At home, you can make green tea with orange. Such a drink will support the immune system and replenish the fluid balance in the body.
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During illness, it is important to pay special attention to the amount of protein consumed. It is a building material for all cells of the body and for cells of the immune system in particular.
With a fever, it is better to give preference to easily digestible types of protein: eggs, dairy products, fish, chicken, turkey.
5. Garlic
When garlic cloves are mechanically damaged, the substance allicin is formed in them - a colorless oily liquid with a pungent odor.
Allicin has antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory activity, which means it strengthens the body's immune system and helps to normalize body temperature in diseases.
Since allicin is an unstable substance and is quickly destroyed by heat treatment, it is better to give preference to freshly chopped garlic. You can chop a clove of garlic and add to a salad or to an already cooked side dish. Fresh garlic is more active than dried garlic.
6. Ginger
Ginger contains gingerol, a substance that has the ability to act on inflammation caused by infectious pathogens and reduce body temperature during fever.
There is no significant difference between using fresh ginger root or dried powder. Ginger does not lose its positive properties when heated.
In order to bring down the temperature, you can make ginger tea.
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When using ginger powder, 200-250 ml of boiling water will require about 1 teaspoon of powder. It is necessary to pour the powder with hot water and mix well, let it brew for a couple of minutes. Tea is ready.
7. Herbal tea
Herbal tea is a good source of liquid, which is very important for the body at an elevated temperature, and also contains many vitamins and minerals. Natural green tea contains polyphenols and antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory properties and boost the immune system.
We will tell you how to properly brew herbs so as not to lose their beneficial properties.
The best herbs for lowering body temperature:
Rosehip broth is a source of vitamin C, as well as vitamins A, B, copper and zinc.
Rosehip tea
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Pour hot rose hips (water temperature should not exceed 80–85 degrees), cook for 10 minutes over low heat, avoiding boiling. Then you can strain the drink and drink.
It is better not to store such tea, but to prepare it immediately before use. You can use a glass or porcelain teapot or a thermos without leaving the dishes in direct sunlight.
9. Turmeric
Turmeric is known and popular due to its pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, it serves as a natural antibiotic and powerful antioxidant, protects body cells from damage, strengthens the body's immune system.
During illness and at elevated temperatures, you can cook "Golden Milk", which will restore strength and help the body fight infection.
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100 grams of sesame contains the daily rate of zinc.
This microelement has an anti-inflammatory, antiviral effect, strengthens and supports the immune system. Consuming foods containing zinc fights fever and speeds up recovery.
You can add sesame seeds to a vegetable or fruit salad, puree vegetable soup, or make sesame milk at home.
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Basil provides powerful immune system support through its antiviral, antimicrobial, and inflammation-reducing properties.
Pour 10 leaves of basil with a glass of clean water, boil for 3-5 minutes over low heat. Let it brew for a couple of minutes, strain. Add 1 teaspoon of honey to the water. The drink is ready!
12. Carrot and sweet potato
These foods are high in beta-carotene, a substance that has powerful antioxidant activity, fights inflammation, and can reduce the severity of fever in infectious diseases.
Sweet potato and carrot cream soup can effectively reduce body temperature.
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If desired, sprinkle the soup with sesame seeds or pumpkin seeds. Ready!
13. Bone broth
Bone broth contains a large amount of amino acids, fats, vitamin A, B vitamins, selenium, and iron.
Amino acids are absorbed in the intestines and are used as building blocks for all protein structures in the body. From proteins, antibodies of the immune system are formed to fight infection, antioxidants that protect cells from damage and are involved in the process of neutralizing toxic substances in the liver, collagen is synthesized, which is found in bones, connective tissue, cartilage, and the vascular wall.
bone broth recipe
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Ready-made broth can be stored in the refrigerator for 5 days, in the freezer - up to 6 months.
14. Cod liverCod liver is the record holder for the content of vitamin A and vitamin D, powerful stimulants of the immune system.
It is important that cod liver can be consumed regularly, but in small amounts, since vitamins A and D are fat-soluble and can accumulate in the body.
How to choose canned cod liverPay attention to the place of fishing and the production of canned food - ideally, these data should match. It is better to choose a liver made from chilled raw materials, and not from frozen ones, since in the first case all the useful properties of the product are better preserved.
The composition should not contain oil - if the canned food is of high quality, the cod liver will be in its own juice or fat. Only bay leaves, black pepper and salt are used as spices.
If the body temperature is elevated, weakness is felt, there are signs of an infectious disease - the body needs rest. Sound sleep and lack of stress allow the immune system to operate most effectively.
With a fever, heat production and heat transfer increase significantly - a person sweats a lot, a lot of fluid is lost. It is necessary to drink enough liquid in order to prevent dehydration, as well as for the timely removal of viruses, bacteria, and toxins from the body. It is important to increase the usual amount of fluid you drink: for every degree above 37, add 10 ml of fluid per kilogram of body weight per day.
It is better to exclude refined foods, sugar from the diet, as simple carbohydrates disrupt the immune system. Not only can caffeine cause a slight increase in body temperature, but it also has a diuretic effect and can increase dehydration. Nicotine, tobacco, alcohol negatively affect the functioning of the immune system and create an additional burden on the liver, so it is important to exclude them not only during the illness and feverish period.
You should make sure that the room temperature and humidity are optimal: 20-22 degrees Celsius, relative humidity - 45-30%.
Light clothing made from natural materials should be worn. Wrapping up leads to overheating of the body.
Wiping the body with a damp towel or a wet sponge placed on the forehead, back of the neck, also helps to reduce body temperature. Do not rub with alcohol! Alcohol vapors are absorbed through the skin and can cause poisoning.
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