“You should 'feed a cold and starve a fever.'”

The old saying that one should 'feed a cold and starve a fever' has been passed down through generations, yet its origins lie in outdated medical theories. This adage can be traced back centuries, with some ideas potentially stemming from ancient Greek physicians like Hippocrates, and appearing in print as early as John Withals' 1574 dictionary. The belief was rooted in the understanding that a cold literally made the body "colder," so eating was thought to generate warmth. Conversely, a fever was believed to be a state of "overheating," and therefore, withholding food was intended to "cool" the body down by reducing its metabolic activity.

However, modern medical science does not support this old advice. When your body is fighting off an infection, whether it's a cold or a fever, your immune system is working overtime and requires a significant amount of energy and nutrients to function effectively. A fever, in particular, increases your metabolism, meaning your body burns more calories as it battles the illness. Depriving your body of essential nutrition during this time can actually hinder your recovery and weaken your immune response.

The enduring popularity of this misconception is largely due to its long history as a folk remedy, passed down through families as a piece of traditional wisdom. While the idea of consuming nourishing foods when you have a cold aligns with the body's need for energy, the notion of starving a fever is counterproductive. For any illness, staying well-hydrated and consuming light, nutritious meals is paramount to providing your body with the fuel it needs to get well.