Best Foods to Fight Cold
Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants maintain your body strength; with them you are giving your body a frame it needs to prevent infection.
Fish and Oysters.
Oily fish including salmon, tuna, and mackerel are rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids; compounds that assist to diminish damaging inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation stops your immune system from functioning properly and can contribute to colds and flu. Omega 3s may battle colds and some other diseases. Zinc is an essential mineral that fights the common cold; Oysters contain more of the nutrient per serving than any other food. Omega-3 Fatty Acids help lower blood pressure and triglyceride levels.
Garlic.
Garlic also encloses Allicin, a sulfuric compound that produces powerful antioxidants when it decomposes. Allicin is the major biologically active component of garlic. Allicin is the key ingredient responsible for the broad-spectrum of anti-bacterial activity in garlic. Garlic bundles the largest antioxidant punch when eaten raw.
Citrus.
Taking the Vitamin C at the first warning of infection may diminish a cold’s duration. Eating many citrus like orange, grapefruit, lemons and limes will supply abundance of this powerhouse nutrient. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin found in fruits and leafy vegetables or made synthetically and used as an antioxidant. Lack of Vitamin C causes scurvy.
Fennel Seed.
Fennel is a natural expectorant, and can help clear chest congestion and soothe a persistent cough. Fennel can be eaten raw or roasted, but you may get the best cold-fighting benefit from drinking a tea made from fennel seeds.1.5 teaspoons of fennel seeds and one cup boiling water, sweeten with honey to taste.
Eating Probiotic Foods, such as yogurt, is a good way to stock up helpful strains of bacteria, which promote digestive health and help prevent stomach ailments. Probiotic is a substance containing live microorganisms that claims to be beneficial to humans and animals, e.g. by restoring the balance of microflora in the digestive tract. Consuming Probiotics in food or supplement shape lowers the risk of upper respiratory tract infections.
Tea.
Hot cup of tea can help to heal chest congestion and relieve a sore throat. Black, green, or white Tea contains a collection of antioxidants identified as Catechins, which may have flu-fighting properties. Catechins are a type of antioxidant found in tea, red wine, chocolate, and apples. Catechins may help boost immune system, revitalize metabolism, protect against cancer and heart disease.
- Milk.
- Our bodies need Vitamin D to build strong bones; it also prevents heart disease and boosts our immune system. Vitamin D is produced when the sun’s rays interact with our skin cells, but this key vitamin is also found in milk, orange juice, and breakfast cereal. Receiving daily dose of Vitamin D may keep colds at bay.
Leafy Green.
The darker the greens vegetables, the higher are the nutrient value. Select arugula and kale over iceberg lettuce. Bitter greens vegetables like arugula helps to relieve chest congestion, sniffles, and coughs.
Blue Berries.
Blue Berries are antioxidant powerhouses; these are bite-sized immunity boosters, especially when they grow in the wild. Wild Blueberries enclose the most active antioxidants as compared to any fresh fruit because of high levels of Anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are versatile and plentiful flavonoid pigments found in red/purplish fruits and vegetables, including purple cabbage, beets, blueberries, cherries etc.
Black Chocolate.
Unadulterated Cocoa contains more of the disease-fighting antioxidants known as polyphenols than most berries. It is loaded with zinc also. The nutritional benefits of cocoa are eclipsed by the sugar and saturated fat found in chocolate bars.
Carrots and Sweet Potato.
Orange colored fruits and vegetables, such as carrots and sweet potatoes, are rich in Beta-Carotene. β-Carotene is a strongly-colored red-orange pigment abundant in plants and fruits. Beta-Carotene is good for vision, immunity, and overall health. When we eat these foods, our bodies convert this organic compound into Vitamin A, which is vital for maintaining a strong immune system.
Oats.
Oats enclose a type of fiber called Beta-Glucan, identified for its cholesterol-lowering and immune-boosting properties. Β-Glucans (Beta- Glucans) are polysaccharides of D-glucose monomers linked by β- glycosidic bonds. Oats can help avoid upper respiratory tract infection.
