Is Hot Chocolate Good for Cough and Cold? Here’s What a Nutrition Expert Says

When the weather turns chilly and sniffles start creeping in, many of us reach for a warm mug of hot chocolate. It feels comforting, indulgent, and soothing on the throat, but is it actually good for a cough or cold or could it be doing more harm than good? Read on to find the answer.

Why We Crave Hot Chocolate When Sick

Hot chocolate is warm, and sweet, which tends to make one feel better when one is not feeling well physically. Drinking warm liquids helps soothe a sore throat, keeping one hydrated.   In an exclusive interaction with the editorial team of Onlymyhealth, our expert, Divya Gandhi, Dietitian and Nutritionist at Divya Gandhi's Diet & Nutrition Clinic, Delhi shared that people believe that because a drink is comforting, it is doing the body a certain amount of good when it comes to recovery. “However, the problem is that when it comes to nutrients, not all soothing beverages enhance the body’s immunity, especially when suffering from cough and cold,” she said.

What Happens When You Have Hot Chocolate During Cough/Cold?

Among the most worrying things about consuming hot chocolate during a cold or cough is the presence of milk in it. Milk has been known to produce a significant amount of mucus, particularly when one has a cold.

“No, chocolates and milk together create mucus. And high intake of sugar when you are not well lowers the immunity. So, it's better to focus on honey and ginger.”

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Drinking milk can also thicken the throat area, which can make congestive problems worse, making coughing a more unpleasant experience. Although it doesn’t produce mucus in most people, it can make problems feel worse when a congestive situation is already experienced.

Role of Sugar for Lower Immunity

Other essential components of hot chocolate are sugar, but that is where the problem begins. If one is ill, their immune system is already under excessive strain. Added sugars in foods can affect the functioning of White Blood Cells (WBCs), thus hindering the overall ability of the body to fight germs.

Hot chocolate mixes, syrups, or cafe-style mixes tend to be high in refined sugars. Having them when one is ill may delay the recovery process, as it gives an instant boost of energy but has little to do with helping in the recovery process.

Does Hot Chocolate Offer any Benefits at all?

Studies show that milk chocolate made with cocoa has antioxidants that protect the heart and boosts serotonin, which improves a person’s mood. However, the amount of cocoa used in most hot chocolate drinks is usually outweighed by milk, sugar, and additives.

On the other hand, if you really want the chocolate taste, a mixture of dark cocoa with warm water or plant-based milk, unsweetened, might be a satisfactory alternative. However, it should never be your primary treatment for colds and coughs.

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What Should You Drink To Relieve Cold?

According to Divya, in the case of a cough, cold, or sore throat, your aim would be to consume fluids that are known to fight inflammation, boost the immune system, and prevent a rise in mucus production.

Warm water with honey and ginger, herbal teas, turmeric milk (in moderation), and vegetable soups are far more effective options. Honey helps to coat the throat, and reduce coughing while ginger has properties that reduce swelling in congested passages.

Bottomline

Even though a cup of hot chocolate might be very comforting during a cough or cold, the presence of dairy components along with sugar in the drink has been known to increase mucus problems even while weakening the immunity level of a particular individual.