Fight colds and flu with food
November 25 2013
As the days get shorter and the temperature begins to cool it is apparent that cold and flu season is here. Research has shown that there are many ways to help prevent getting a cold or the flu by simply eating healthy and nutritious foods. Avoiding sugary foods and processed meats have also been documented as good ways to prevent illness. Here are some of the best cold and flu fighting foods according to studies:
· Whole Grains
They’re loaded with zinc, which is vital for maintaining a healthy immune system. Try whole-grain spaghetti with tomato sauce or brown rice with veggies.
· Bananas
They contain vitamin B6, which helps your body fight infection. Eat your bananas sliced over whole-grain cereal and double your germ-busting power.
· Cayenne Pepper
The active ingredient in cayenne pepper, capsaicin, helps fight congestion by thinning the mucus in your nasal passages so you can breathe freely again. Sprinkle some in soup or on a bean burrito.
· Sweet Potatoes
They’re one of the best sources of beta-carotene (a form of vitamin A), which your body needs to make enough white blood cells to fight off infection. Eat them mashed or baked.
· Garlic
Allicin, one of the active components in freshly crushed garlic, can zap viruses by blocking the enzymes that lead to infection. Use it in a Caesar salad, pesto sauce, or guacamole.
· Spinach
Spinach is loaded with vitamin C which has been shown to reduce the severity of cold and flu symptoms.
