Flu season is around the corner how are you protecting yourself from getting the nasty flu? These 9 flu-fighting foods are just what you need!
Colds and flu viruses are the most common problems affecting nearly everyone at some time or another and with the season coming up, it’s good to know what precautions you can take. The flu, better known as influenza, is caused by a viral infection. It may come with minor symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, sniffles, runny noses, and coughs. Or you may experience the full-blown flu with aches and pain, sore throat, increase in temperature, hot and cold symptoms, and all of them happening at the same time.
You may be in contact with many people around this time of the year who are sneezing and sniffling across the room or coughing and blowing their nose in your face which is typically the way flu germs spread. If you have a compromised immune system or not getting enough sleep or if you feel run down, stressed, and overworked, you may be more susceptible to getting the flu.
In order to prevent and combat the flu, it is important to keep a few things in mind. Since the body is made up of mostly water, it makes sense to make sure to keep the body hydrated. Drinking water not only hydrates the body it helps to flush waste matter from the body as well. Secondly, it is important to detoxify the body and boost the immune system; this can help prevent you from easily catching the flu every time a nose-blowing person enters the room. Lastly, it is important to eat the right foods that can help hydrate, detoxify, and boost your immune system and ultimately protect you from bacteria viruses and any other microbes.
The following are some of my favorite flu-fighting foods that can help protect you during the winter season.
Garlic
Garlic is a very intricate and potent food used for a variety of medicinal purposes. It is antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal. Rich in the phytochemical allicin, a sulfur compound that helps prevents disease., it also extracts toxic heavy metals, helps to purify the body, and gives you a powerful immune boost. Its role as an antimicrobial has a natural antibiotic effective and is perfect not only in combating the flu but also flu preventions.
Lemon
Lemons have one of the most widely recognized nutrients - vitamin C. They are high in flavonoids which are powerful antioxidants. They also contain phytochemicals called limonoids that enhances the body’s alkalinity. Lemons act as a cleanser, purifier, rejuvenator, and detoxifier for the body, especially for your liver. In addition, lemons rehydrate your body; aids in elimination, so that toxins can be removed from the body, and boosts the immune system. When dealing with the flu; lemons are effective mucus expellers. A squeeze of lemon in your first-morning water helps to detoxify the liver and jump-start your system.
Ginger
When we are going a mile a minute trying to get so many things done, multi-tasking, and trying to meet deadlines, sometimes stress catches up to us and so does the flu. When this happens, our immune systems run at lower than optimal functions. A cup of ginger can calm things down and release tension, relieve headaches, and relax our muscles. Its antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-parasitic properties help to promote a healthy immune system. Ginger also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help with aches and pains from flu symptoms, it relaxes the throat muscles and decreases inflammation as a result of a sore throat. Chills from the flu is often a common symptom, ginger is very warming to the body and stimulates circulation. Sipping on a cup of ginger in the winter can help keep you warm and toasty and keep the flu bugs at bay.
Turmeric
Turmeric, similar to garlic, has far-reaching medicinal properties. It acts as an antibiotic as it has an ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria. It is also known to treat various infections. It is famous for its phytochemical compound called curcumin which reduces inflammation in the body. Inflammation is due to the body’s immune response to a foreign presence such as a virus. Turmeric can help alleviate symptoms such as aches and pains brought on by the flu and is good for every aspect of well-being.
Dandelion
Dandelion is a bitter weed that has amazing restorative properties. The phytochemicals in the dandelion purify and cleanse the blood and improves liver function and circulation. Dandelion acts as a cleanser and can help fight off bugs and viruses. It is preventative for virtually any virus and illness and thus strengthens the immune system to help combat the flu.
(NOTE: Check out one of our most popular articles EVER, the 11 Health Benefits of Dandelion Root. You won't regret it.)
Cilantro
Cilantro is known for its valuable means of extracting heavy metals from the body. It has anti-inflammatory properties and is particularly amazing at detoxifying the liver. Its antibacterial assets also help to fight off virtually every form of bacteria, flushing waste from the body. Add cilantro to salads, smoothies, and juices, and say bye-bye to your common flu.
Coconut
Coconut oil, coconut yogurt, and coconut Kefir are commonly seen in health food stores today. With many people lactose intolerant, coconut has become an alternative to dairy , which is great with its antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal properties. It is an ideal food to help protect you from the flu and common cold. The amazing thing that you should know about coconut is that it kills off any pathogen it touches.
Wild Blueberries
The beautiful deep, rich color of these berries provides one of the highest antioxidants and is a protector against any kind of infections and diseases. Wild blueberries are not only great for the skin and anti-aging, but they also help repair tissues, they are great for digestive cleansing, removal of heavy metals, and they support the immune system. Eaten regularly, wild blueberries can protect the body from many foreign invaders that can compromise the body.
Pumpkin Seeds
Research suggests that zinc can help ward off viruses, keep the immune system strong, and fight infections. Pumpkin seeds are best known for their concentration of zinc. Eating pumpkin seeds regularly can help protect you against any potential virus attaching your immune system. Zinc is also excellent for combating sore throats, and there are plenty of zinc supplements on the market for this reason. Why not just eat pumpkin seeds? In addition to zinc, pumpkin seeds contain phytonutrients such as beta-carotene that can help with the prevention of many health problems.
It is important to take the time to take care of your body especially in the winter months. The cold winter months can make us feel tired and weak; as a result, we are sometimes less motivated to eat healthy and often reach for foods that will comfort us rather than nourish us. Unfortunately, choosing unhealthy comfort foods will leave you feeling more weak and tired, resulting in a suppressed immune system. Incorporating all or some of these foods will help keep your body working at an optimum level so that you’re not stuck with the flu when old man winter hits.
