Is the old saying "feed a fever stave a cold" or "feed a cold starve a fever" and Why?

Answer 1

it's feed a cold starve a fever

it used to be thought that it was only an old wives' tale, but then scientists discovered that, by consuming food when you have a cold, your immune system produces what is needed to attack a cold (gamma interferon). by not consuming food when you have a fever, your immune system produced that which is needed to attack an infection (interleukin-4).

so, as in many things, the old wives were right without ever knowing why.

Answer 2

Starve a cold, feed a fever. Fever is your body's answer to the virus. If you starve a fever you will prolong the cold. Just don't feed the fever over about 102 degrees.

Answer 3

I have always heard 'starve a cold, feed a fever.'

Answer 4

It's "feed a cold, starve a fever."

When you're sick you don't always feel like eating. In most cases, not eating makes you worse because your body needs food to create energy to battle your illness.

However, when you have a fever, your body is already overheating and digesting food will make you hotter. In addition, you tend to throw up when you have a fever, and that makes you feel even worse.

If you have a fever and are not nauseous, eat if you feel like it. Regardless, always make sure that you take in plenty of liquids when you're sick.

Answer 5

You should starve the cold (the illness part) and feed the fever (the part that is burning up your ilness buggies) :)