Common colds are literally ‘common’ and can interfere with our day to day activities. There are tons of OTC medicines available; but we all know that frequent consumption of such medicines is not safe! Nutritious and healthy food can not only treat common cold but also prevent it by boosting your memory. Here is a list of the best foods for common cold:
SWEET POTATO
While sweet potatoes may not be considered a traditional cold-fighting food, they’re a great source of Vitamin A, which plays a key role in maintaining the health of your mucosal surfaces- that includes the inside of your nose and your gastrointestinal tract. Keeping your mucus membranes healthy is key to keeping infections at bay.
GARLIC
Those pungent cloves contain allicin, a potent antimicrobial that can fend off bacteria, viruses, and fungi. If you can stand it, chew a clove every 3 to 4 hours. You can also cut the clove into pieces and swallow them like pills. Or simply add them to your chicken soup, along with some onions. But chop garlic first and let it stand for 10 to 15 minutes before adding it to the soup. This will allow its therapeutic compounds to form.
TURMERIC
One of the most recent spices to be crowned a super food, turmeric is a rich yellow powder often used in curry dishes. It’s high in antioxidants and considered a natural anti-inflammatory. If you take it on a daily basis, it is known to relieve the body of toxins. It has been shown that people who consume turmeric are less susceptible to colds, coughs and congestion.
CHICKEN SOUP/STOCK
The warm broth not only soothes your throat but helps you stay hydrated, too. Hot liquid, like soup, raises the temperature in your body and airways, loosening mucus secretions. Also, when you cook chicken, it releases the amino acid cysteine, which resembles a drug that is used to treat bronchitis. With its high concentration of protein and vegetables, it’s like you’re giving your body a super-vitamin.
SPICES
According to Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine), cinnamon, coriander, and ginger promote sweating and are often used to help break a fever. You may also be able to unclog your stuffy nose by generously spicing up some dishes with cayenne, horseradish, or (for lovers of sushi) wasabi. Each of these condiments can shrink the blood vessels in your nose and throat to temporarily relieve congestion.
BEEF
If you want to boost your immune system, eat some beef. Beef is a good source of zinc, and zinc is important in the development of the white blood cells that defend your body. Research has shown that having a zinc deficiency decreases a person’s immune function and response. Plus, the extra protein you get from chowing down on beef supports the body in building antibodies and fighting off infection.
GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES
The darker the greens, the higher the nutrient content. So when you’re shoring up your defences for cold and flu season, choose arugula and kale over iceberg lettuce. Bitter greens like arugula may even help relieve chest congestion, sniffles, and coughs.