He further explains that this virus stimulates the cells in fat tissues to produce more fat cells, which will ultimately store more fat.

Since most of the weight that comes off when you are sick is “water weight,” it will likely come back when you are feeling better and eating and drinking again. If you’re actually trying to lose weight, this is not the way to do it.

However, short-term illnesses such as influenza or the common cold can also cause weight loss due to abdominal discomfort. Common causes of unintentional weight loss include depression, diarrhea, oral ulcers, and viral infections, such as the common cold, that can affect appetite.

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism says that drinking cold water can actually help you to lose weight. In fact, water has zero calories, so it is impossible that drinking water — cold or room temperature — causes weight gain.

So while the body’s first response to cold is to shiver, it eventually makes and activates enough brown fat to take over those heat-producing responsibilities, she explains. In either case, your body is burning extra calories in response to cold. That can even translate to some body-weight benefits.

No, it could actually make you more sick. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that you can sweat out a cold and, in fact, it may even prolong your illness. Here’s what you need to know about why sweating won’t help once you’re sick and how you can prevent illness in the future.

Cold showers may help boost weight loss Some fat cells, such as brown fat, can generate heat by burning fat. They do this when your body is exposed to cold conditions like in a shower.

When the body is inflamed with a viral or bacterial infection, she explained, appetite is often suppressed in order to conserve energy. When less energy is needed to digest food, more energy can be used to fight the infection.

When experiencing symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, fever or a productive cough, it’s best to rest your body and take some time off from the gym to recover. However, if you caught a mild cold or are experiencing some nasal congestion, there’s no need to throw in the towel on your workout.

“Feed a cold, starve a fever.” The classic saying suggests that a cold can be squashed with adequate food intake, while a fever will burn off faster if you, well, fast. The idea was that eating more could help raise the body’s temperature and thus kick the cold.

Sleeping more than usual is helping your body build up its immune system and fight off your illness. If you find yourself sleeping all day when you’re sick — especially during the first few days of your illness — don’t worry.

Cold remedies that work

1. Stay hydrated. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration.
2. Rest. Your body needs rest to heal.
3. Soothe a sore throat.
4. Combat stuffiness.
5. Relieve pain.
6. Sip warm liquids.
7. Try honey.
8. Add moisture to the air.

The 15 Best Foods to Eat When You’re Sick

1. Chicken soup. Chicken soup has been a go-to for sickness for generations — and for good reason.
2. Broths. Like chicken soup, broths are excellent sources of fluid and electrolytes that can be helpful when you’re sick.
3. Garlic.
4. Coconut water.
5. Hot tea.
6. Honey.
7. Ginger.
8. Spicy foods.

To be more precise, we do not feed or starve the bacteria or viruses themselves, but we may be able to modulate the different types of inflammation that these infections cause.

Fever is part of the immune system’s attempt to beat the bugs. It raises body temperature, which increases metabolism and results in more calories burned; for each degree of temperature rise, the energy demand increases further. So taking in calories becomes important. Even more crucial is drinking.

Dr. Hunt says the swelling of the nose is what causes you to lose your ability to smell & taste during a cold, sinus infection, allergic reaction, etc.