The ever changing weather, late nights, and poor eating habits can leave us exposed to various health problems including the most common of them all which is the flu. What starts as sniffles can become a full blown flu if you don’t take steps to nip this illness at the bud. Although over-the-counter medication is available, adding certain types of foods to your diet can help keep the flu at bay. Are you wondering which foods these are? Here are some to get you started.
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- Raw garlic. Garlic contains allion and allicin which contain antiviral properties. These compounds can actually put a halt to the flu virus right from the start. To get the full benefits of garlic, you should chew on a clove every three to four hours. The pungent smell may get to you so you can cut the cloves into smaller pieces and swallow them to get the same effects. You can also crush some garlic and mix with honey to get an extra boost in terms of health benefits.
- Cauliflower. This cruciferous vegetable is also another food that can help beat back flu because it contains plenty of antioxidants that can improve your immune system. Choline is also present which is important to your overall health. This nutrient actually helps your digestion work properly so that your body will be able to absorb all the vitamins and minerals that you are consuming not to mention, keeping the bacteria in your gut.
- Spices. Adding a bit of spice to your meals is one way to keep flu at bay. Think turmeric, cinnamon, and cloves. These spices can give your food that extra kick while at the same time, help your immune system become stronger than before. Try adding a pinch to your meals when you can to get its full benefits. If you’re feeling a bit sick, mix half a teaspoon each of coriander and cinnamon, plus ¼ teaspoon of powdered ginger in boiling water. Sip this concoction to help bring your fever down.
- Carrots. Carrots are also worth adding to your diet as the beta carotene they contain can help support mucus membranes along your intestinal and respiratory tracts. This, in turn, prevents bacteria from clinging to your body so that you won’t be too much at risk of experiencing health troubles like the flu.
- Berries. When it comes to fighting off the flu, eating berries is a surefire way to keep you protected. One reason behind this is that this fruit is actually packed with antioxidants that can fight off any flu viruses or bacteria. Doctors and health specialists recommend that you eat half a cup of berries per day to promote better immune system and to protect you against common illnesses like the flu.
As you can see, there are quite a lot of foods that can give you the protection that you are looking for to reduce your risk of health problems. Making slight changes to your diet, such as adding healthier foods, will certainly be beneficial to you in the long run.
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