A Spoonful of Sugar Trivia Quiz

Answer: Chicken soup

Transcending the culture barrier, from the Chinese to the Jewish to the Western civilisation, chicken soup is perfect for the unwell. Despite the differences in recipes made by adding noodles, rice or vegetables, chicken soup everywhere is viewed as a comfort food, triggering memories of family and especially grandmothers. Chicken soup is a healthy mix of the protein, vitamins and minerals the body needs to fight off infection.

The steam from the hot soup also helps relieve stuffy noses and sinuses which makes it easier to breathe and it also produces an anti-inflammatory effect to calm the symptoms of a cold.

Answer: Coconut water

Coconut water is the liquid inside a coconut and is packed full of essential electrolytes like potassium, magnesium and calcium. Drinking coconut water when you're ill is a good way to help keep you hydrated because its sweet flavour is sometimes more palatable and easier to drink than plain water.

It contains glucose for a quick energy boost while also helping to regulate blood glucose levels. Coconut water has been shown to help eliminate kidney stones and until 1975, it was sometimes used to replace intravenous saline as a hydrating fluid.

Answer: Hot tea

The steam from tea acts as a decongestant, helping to clear sinuses and stuffy noses. The tannins found in tea are polyphenals which have antibacterial properties that work to kill the bacteria causing a sore throat. But there are many different types of tea that can calm cold and flu symptoms. Peppermint tea contains menthol which acts as an anaesthetic on a sore throat. Camomile tea can help you sleep. Echinacea tea has been shown to reduce the duration of a cold.

But whatever tea you drink, and whether you drink it plain or with lemon or honey, it's sure to help relieve symptoms of a cold and sore throat.

Answer: Honey

Honey is made by bees from the nectar of plants and its health benefits are widely known. It has been used in Indian medicine for thousands of years, alone or as an adjunct to other medicines. Honey is soothing on a sore throat and occasionally can be a more effective cough suppressant than some over-the-counter remedies.

Its antibacterial properties are useful for skin care as well. The special anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties of honey are useful against acne and scalds but it has even been used as a successful treatment of decubitus ulcers.

When producing honey, the bees add an enzyme called glucose oxidase which has the ability to break down to hydrogen peroxide, an effective antiseptic.

Answer: Salmon

Salmon is a healthy source of protein the body needs for healing after an injury. The Omega-3 fatty acids in salmon, and other 'fatty' fish like mackerel, tuna and sardines, have been proven to reduce the symptoms associated with inflammatory joint conditions and also helps decrease risk factors associated with other inflammatory illnesses. Like other fish, salmon is high in B-group vitamins which are needed for energy, potassium for muscle health and to prevent fluid retention, and selenium for bone health and thyroid function.

Answer: Ginger

The rhizome from the ginger plant has been used globally in all cultures since time immemorial and can be ingested or used topically. It is helpful in settling upset stomachs and relieving nausea by decreasing stomach acid, but is also helpful in calming stomach spasms and diarrhoea. Ginger's anti-bacterial properties help treat intestinal infections like bacterial dysentery, but it's also effective in reducing intestinal outbreaks of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

When used as an inhalation, ginger can help relieve the inflammation of airways in asthma, and it acts as a decongestant by breaking up and decreasing mucous in the airways.

Answer: Yoghurt

Yoghurt is a dairy product made by the bacterial fermentation of milk. It has been consumed around the world for hundreds of years. Yoghurt is high in calcium, B vitamins, protein and other essential elements. The live bacteria in yoghurt is good for the digestive system.

After a bout of gastro-intestinal illness, eating yoghurt will help replenish the good bacteria in the gut and assist in healing and restoring normal gut function.

Answer: Banana

When you are sick, bland-tasting bananas are easy to eat and they are also a good source of antioxidants, calories and nutrients. High in fibre, bananas can ease diarrhoea and also feed your normal gut bacteria, helping to keep it healthy. Bananas are rich in potassium and magnesium, essential for good heart and muscle function. Bananas can slow gastric emptying, making you feel full for longer, so they are useful in weight loss management.

Answer: Garlic

Part of the Allium family, garlic has been used for its health and medicinal properties by the Romans, Greeks, Egyptians, Chinese and Babylonians for centuries. Garlic has been proven to reduce the duration of a cold through its ability to boost the body's immune system.

It is also beneficial in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels and contains antioxidants that support the body against Alzheimer's and other degenerative neurological disorders.

Answer: Oatmeal

Oatmeal (porridge) is widely type of fibre in oatmeal is beta-glucan which decreases intestinal inflammation and can relieve cramping and diarrhoea by promoting healthy gut bacteria. Oats are also high in manganese which has strong antioxidant properties for reducing inflammation and disease, and helps regulate blood glucose levels.