OK, maybe you cannot beat getting a cold or the flu but there are some things you can do besides getting the flu shot early in the season, like NOW!
Also, eat healthy, adding these foods to your diet to help fend of colds and the flu.
7 Foods to Fend Off Colds and Flu
Lisa Bendall, October 4th, 2018
Carp Health
Photo: Unsplash
Millions of Canadians get sick every cold and flu season. It’s difficult to avoid the bugs that cause these illnesses, especially as the weather gets colder, and we spend more time indoors together. We can reduce our risk by washing our hands often, getting a flu shot and trying not to shortchange our sleep time.
We can also bolster our cold- and flu-fighting capabilities by eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet. Some foods, in particular, may help us fend off colds and flu or at least feel better faster. Here are our picks.
Strawberries
Strawberries are a spectacular source of vitamin C. There’s 52 mg of the stuff in just half a cup of berries, more than you’d get from eating half a grapefruit. But does vitamin C really prevent colds? Yes … and no. After more than two dozen research studies, scientists agree that in most cases, vitamin C won’t help you avoid catching a cold. It may slightly reduce the length of time you feel symptoms, as long as you were taking vitamin C before you became sick. We’ve also learned that in people who exert themselves for short periods — say, running a marathon — vitamin C can actually reduce colds by about 50 per cent.
Decaffeinated tea
Whether you’re dealing with a cold or the flu, tea is an ideal drink for making you feel better. First, it keeps you hydrated, which is important for recovery. The warm temperature helps to loosen congestion and soothe a sore throat. Many people find it relaxing to sip tea. And, of course, tea is loaded with antioxidants. People who drink black tea regularly tend to have lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and fewer heart attacks. We recommend you drink your tea in decaf form since you don’t want caffeine interfering with your shut-eye.
Pumpkin seeds
A quarter-cup of pumpkin seeds contains up to half of your recommended daily intake of zinc. This mineral has long been used in lozenges to treat the common cold. In 2012, a review in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that zinc can indeed shorten colds in adults. But not everyone enjoys taking zinc as a supplement. Some study participants developed nausea or a nasty taste in their mouths, and too much over the long term can actually lower immunity. You won’t have to worry about a bad taste when you get your zinc from food, so when you’re carving that Halloween jack-o’-lantern, be sure to save the seeds! You can also get zinc from oysters, anchovies, baked beans and cashews.
Honey
Both colds and flu can lead to a lot of hacking and coughing, and that can irritate your throat and disrupt your sleep. Several studies have shown that honey can actually relieve coughing – in many cases, more effectively than cough syrup. Parents whose kids were given honey for their colds reported less night waking and coughing. Honey, which has antibacterial properties, has been used in traditional medicines for many generations. (But remember not to give honey to babies, since there’s a risk it contains bacterial spores.)
Yogurt
Yogurt and other fermented foods like kefir and sauerkraut contain probiotics. The evidence is not strong thus far, but it suggests probiotics may play a role in helping us fight off the common cold. Three-quarters of a cup of yogurt will provide you with up to 18 grams of protein, a nutrient that we know is essential for supporting the immune system. Yogurt is also cool, smooth and easy to swallow, considerably appealing attributes when you’re dealing with a sore throat.
Brazil nuts
Harvested from a tree in South America, Brazil nuts are rich in selenium, a mineral that strengthens the immune system. According to a study published last year in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine, selenium may be particularly helpful in preventing influenza A, one of the two types of flu responsible for seasonal outbreaks. Brazil nuts provide cardiovascular benefits as well. A 2013 study suggested that having just one handful of Brazil nuts can temporarily but significantly improve your cholesterol!
Chicken soup
There’s a reason why Grandma’s remedy never fails to perk you up. Chicken soup has a lot to offer. The chicken itself is high in protein, zinc and selenium. Noodles contain selenium as well. Researchers have discovered that chicken soup may have anti-inflammatory effects on the body. And just like tea, soup is wonderfully hydrating and cosy-warm. Here’s a tip: add a variety of vegetables, so you’re also getting plenty of vitamins.
