Can patients with wind-cold感冒 (common cold due to wind-cold) eat watermelon?
Feb 12, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, patients with wind-cold感冒 (common cold with cold symptoms) should not eat watermelon, as it may worsen the condition. During an episode of wind-cold感冒, one should stay warm, drink plenty of warm water, and choose easily digestible foods. It is advisable to avoid raw, cold, greasy, and spicy foods, such as ice cream and chili peppers. At the same time, adequate rest is important; strenuous exercise and overexertion should be avoided to promote recovery.
Generally, patients with wind-cold common cold are not advised to eat watermelon, as it may worsen their condition. Detailed explanation is as follows:
Watermelon is a cold-natured fruit. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, wind-cold common cold is caused by the invasion of cold pathogenic factors into the body, leading to cold pathogens stagnating on the body surface. Patients typically exhibit symptoms such as severe chills, mild fever, headache, absence of sweating, nasal congestion, and clear nasal discharge. Therefore, patients with wind-cold common cold should avoid consuming cold-natured foods to prevent worsening of their condition. Additionally, the sugar content in watermelon may irritate the throat and exacerbate coughing symptoms. Patients with wind-cold common cold should choose warm-natured foods, such as ginger soup and hot porridge, which can help dispel cold pathogens and promote recovery.
During the period of wind-cold common cold, attention should be paid to keeping warm, drinking plenty of warm water, and choosing easily digestible foods. Consumption of raw, cold, greasy, and spicy foods, such as ice cream and chili peppers, should be avoided. At the same time, adequate rest is important, strenuous exercise should be avoided, and excessive fatigue should be prevented to promote recovery.
