This fruit could be the answer to your persistent cough.
Amid the peak of cold and flu season in the UK, which typically spans from December to February, many are battling the common symptoms of a runny nose and sore throat. One of the most troublesome aspects of a cold is often the accompanying cough, which can linger for days or even up to three weeks before subsiding.
For those still grappling with a cough, there are measures that can be taken to alleviate the discomfort. Some have touted a particular fruit as a cough remedy due to its purported “mucus-thinning” properties, which could potentially make breathing easier and reduce the frequency of coughing.
TikTok user Sid highlighted the benefits of pineapple for those suffering from a cough. In her video detailing various cough remedies, she claims that pineapple contains an enzyme known as bromelain, which possesses “mucus-thinning properties”. She concludes with the statement: “Food is medicine.”
While Sid doesn’t expand any further on her claims, HealthLine notes pineapple juice is considered a home remedy for alleviating coughs with limited scientific support. Bromelain is recognised for its anti-inflammatory and healing effects, and although definitive scientific evidence is lacking on pineapple’s efficacy for coughs, anecdotal accounts suggest it might offer relief for some individuals.
Pineapples are packed with essential nutrients such as vitamin C, copper, potassium, and magnesium. Vitamin C is known for its immune-boosting properties and ability to combat infections, while the bromelain found in pineapples has antiviral properties.
Therefore, although not scientifically proven, consuming pineapple or its juice could potentially alleviate your cough – or at least aid your immune system in fighting off the illness more rapidly. In Sid’s video, she also suggested filling a bowl with boiling water, adding peppermint or eucalyptus oil, and inhaling the steam for five minutes.
Another tip she shared, which she admitted was a “little weird”, was to hum “at least seven times a day”. She claimed the vibration in your chest would help to loosen the mucus and clear your throat. The woman also recommended using a warm compress or heated pad that’s “not too hot” and placing it across your chest for 10-minute intervals, with breaks in between.
The NHS provides advice on how to manage a cough on their website. They advise there’s usually no need to see a GP if you have a cough, and it should clear within three weeks. They suggest resting, staying hydrated, and taking paracetamol or ibuprofen if any pain accompanies your cough.
If your cough persists for more than three weeks, you’re inexplicably losing weight, or if your immune system is compromised, it’s advised to see a GP. In certain instances, an urgent GP appointment may be necessary. However, if your cough is severe or rapidly deteriorating, you feel extremely unwell, experience chest pain, have difficulty breathing, or are coughing up blood, you should dial 111 for assistance.