Foods that Fight the Flu

Worried about the flu, because seemingly everyperson is
sneezing or coughing somewhere? You're not alone. And you don't need to
rely on luck or that flu shot: There are plenty of immunity-boosting
superfoods to help ward off a nasty case of the sniffles--check out
these five that are guaranteed to make you feel good

 

 Black Pepper: Black pepper contains a compound called piperine, which
not only gives pepper its spicy kick but is also believed to have
anti-inflammatory and anti-fever properties. Add an extra few grinds to
your soup or pasta sauce for a quick fever.

 Cinnamon: Top your oatmeal with this tasty spice or sprinkle it on apple
slices for a snack--either way you may be helping to ward off a virus.
That's because a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
suggests that specific plant terpenoids contained within cinnamon have
potent antiviral properties.

 Citrus Fruits: Add a squeeze of lemon juice to your tea or some orange
slices to your salad to feel better fast when you feel sickness coming
on. While it is a common myth that large doses of vitamin C can prevent a
cold, it is true that if you up your consumption of this antioxidant at
the first signs of a cold, it can help you feel better faster.

 Avocado: Slice and eat on your sandwich for lunch or whip up some
guacamole to get a healthy dose of heart-healthy fats. These
monounsaturated fats help to reduce inflammation and help us to absorb
vitamins like A, D, E and K, which are important for supporting the
immune system.

 Low-fat Yogurt: Recent research shows that people who had the lowest
levels of vitamin D were far more likely to get the flu than those with
the highest levels, and yogurt is a powerhouse source of it. Stir some
into some tomato soup for a supremely creamy flavor.

 Preventing disease through healthy eating

During
the monsoon, as the nights get colder, your chances of picking up a
nasty bug or dose of the flu are likely to be much greater. As a result,
it’s important to maintain a strong immune system, to keep as healthy
as possible. Here’s the realbuzz.com guide to the best foods to eat if
you want to improve your immune system.

 Monsoon can be a hugely vulnerable time for the body, with pesky germs
thriving on the warmth of well-incubated office blocks, houses and
shops. With so much illness about, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll
feel a slight twinge in your throat at some point. But thankfully there
are easy ways to combat the onset of germs. Indeed, you can save
yourself a lot time and money by avoiding the pharmacy altogether and
simply eating your way towards better immunity.

White blood cells
in the body work to fight bacteria and harmful toxins. However, to
perform effectively, these cells need to regenerate in an effort to
defend you from feeling ill. There are a number of key foods we can
consume to feed our white blood cells with the nutrients they need to
thrive and these may include the following:

 Eating yoghurt for better immunity — Judging from their
frequently bad press, you might assume that all forms of bacteria are
out to get you. Thankfully, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
‘Good’ bacteria is great for regulating the immune system, by increasing
its antibodies and preventing the rise of pathogenic organisms like
salmonella and E.coli. Many yoghurts include a high volume of ‘good’
bacteria so if you want to develop your flagging immune system, a few
quick spoonfuls could really help you out!

 Eating fresh fruit and vegetables for better immunity — Cheap and
easy to buy, fresh fruit and veg is perfect for boosting your white
blood cells. Packed with phytonutrients, the likes of peppers and
broccoli strengthen the immune system by rebuilding damaged cells and
enhancing new ones. Eating fruit is also essential in fuelling any
healthy immune system. Naturally detoxifying, fruit contains a number of
antioxidants that shield white blood cells from harm. So why not grab
some now?

 Eating spinach for better immunity — Whilst eating spinach won’t
be enough to turn you into Popeye, it’s certainly excellent for boosting
the body’s immunity from illness. Spinach and other leafy foods like
kale and collard are high in folate which is vital in preventing DNA and
blood vessel damage. It may not be the most appealing dish to come home
to in the evening, but a plate of spinach really could keep you healthy
through the dark monsoon months ahead.

 Eating oysters for better immunity — Oysters may be renowned for
boosting the sex drive, but these slimy molluscs are also ideal if
you’re looking to improve your immune system. Oysters are crammed with
zinc, which can really enhance your immunity by helping white blood
cells reproduce more quickly. Zinc also strengthens antibodies, making
them more efficient at warding off infection. So, to keep your body in
sync, just eat some zinc!

 Eating garlic for better immunity — Whilst it wouldn’t be wise to
eat it on a hot date with a sexy stunner, garlic is nevertheless a
fantastic infection deterrent. Containing key anti-virus elements like
allicin and ajoene, garlic juice alone can clear up fungal maladies and
even disinfect wounds. All things in moderation though; just make sure
it doesn’t immunise your chances of scoring tonight ...

 Eating carrots for better immunity — Carrots aren’t just for
rabbits, you know. Try and munch a few if you’re looking to avoid the
curse of a nasty cough or cold. Carrots are full of beta-carotene which
bolsters the number of white blood cells in the immune system, as well
as T cells. So if you’re looking to go to war with an evil disease
microbe, it might well be time you crunched on a bit of orange ...

 

Maintaining a strong immune system doesn’t have to be rocket science,
just as long as you enjoy a healthy diet, rich in certain nutrients.
Whilst foods like oysters and carrots won’t be dead-certs when it comes
to fighting off illness, they’ll do you a lot more good than if you’re
stuffing yet another quarter-pounder into your mouth. So put down the
pasty and get chomping on some immunising foods.