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Does eating banana or citrus fruits aggravate cold in kids? (Query)

You should eat citrus fruits like oranges and sweet lime and also banana, if you have cough and cold. Here's why.

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Written By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Updated : June 1, 2016 10:39 AM IST

Read this in HINDI.

Recently, my kid was suffering from a cough and cold. I gave my kid a banana and oranges as he was not willing to eat anything else. But a friend pointed out that kids suffering from cold should not be given banana and citrus fruits as it worsens the condition. Is it true?

The query is answered by Krishnakant Debri, Senior Physician, Mumbai.

It is one of the most common query related to diet during cough and cold. In fact, most mothers believe that eating bananas or citrus fruits can cause cold or might worsen the condition if the kid is already suffering from a cough and cold. However, this is not the case, says Dr Debri. In fact, most experts recommend that one should up the intake of foods rich in vitamin C like citrus foods and those loaded with minerals like banana as they not only aid in digestion but also boost the immunity and help in quick recovery. Read more about how to fight cold and cough naturally with these 10 foods.

Bananas, as we all know, are not only loaded with potassium but also contain a high amount of water. As this fruit contains electrolytes, which play a vital role in maintaining the electrolyte and fluid balance in the body, banana aids in replenishing the lost minerals in the body and helps you to cope with fever and cold. Moreover, it also acts as an instant energy food as it contains 105 calories. Also, read about what you should do if you experience symptoms of flu with cough and cold.

Citrus fruits, on the other hand, contain vitamin C, which exerts a potent antiviral effect, thereby helping in speedy recovery. Also, the presence of vitamin C, an antioxidant, in citrus fruits like oranges and sweet lime, flushes out the harmful toxins from the body (including the microbes responsible for flu) thereby aiding in the treatment of a cough and cold naturally. Hence, kids suffering from a cough, cold or fever are prescribed to stock up the intake of vitamins and minerals to prevent weakness and help them recover naturally. Here are 12 superfoods that boost immunity in children.

However, this does not mean that you take the natural route to deal with a cough and cold in kids. In fact, including citrus fruits and bananas in diet along with a healthy diet and medications is the key to getting rid of cold and cough.

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