As the temperatures fluctuate during the transit seasons, colds are common and can seriously throw us out of rhythm. Besides cough and stuffy nose, a common symptom that accompanies cold, flu or covid is loss of appetite. Therefore, the diet should undergo changes. Put these foods on the menu!
When you feel low on energy due to a respiratory infection, you may be tempted to indulge in unhealthy food, but you must not forget that sweets and fatty foods can do you a disservice: prolonging the period of suffering by hindering the action of the immune system. “Infections can cause temporary loss of essential nutrients, especially protein, B vitamins, copper, iron, vitamin C and zinc,” says American doctor Melinda R. Ring, quoted by Womanshealthmag. That’s exactly why, a better choice would be fruits and vegetables rich in nutrients, but also the foods you find on the list below.
Ginger tea with honey
Ginger should not be missing from your diet when you have a virus. It’s one of the best foods because of a chemical called sesquiterpenes, which fight rhinoviruses, the most common family of viruses that cause colds, and suppress coughs. Ginger also contains anti-inflammatory gingerols that can fight infection.
Put a few slices of ginger root in hot water or another type of tea. Sweeten with honey, as this is another great food when you’re dealing with a cold or flu. Its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties help fight infections caused by viruses, bacteria and fungi.
Honey can also help reduce the frequency of coughing as well as improve upper respiratory function.
See also: Stuffy nose? With the help of these natural methods you can breathe better!
Mushrooms
They have antiviral properties due to their rich vitamin D content. Mushrooms produce cytokines, cellular proteins, that help fight infection. A class of compounds that consumption of mushrooms brings is represented by polysaccharides. And they strengthen immunity.
Fatty fish
Vitamin D helps keep your immune system strong, and vitamin D from fatty fish like salmon can help maintain optimal blood levels when the body doesn’t get enough naturally from sunlight. What’s more, getting enough vitamin D through food can help fight several types of cancer, strengthen bones, and shed extra pounds.
You may also be interested: Don’t overdo it with this cold supplement! Look what side effects it has!
Roast lamb
The high zinc content of lamb makes it one of the best foods for a cold. A recent study found that a daily intake of zinc at the onset of a cold shortens the duration of the illness, and a daily intake of a zinc tablet reduces the severity of the virus. Other good sources of zinc are chickpeas and pumpkin seeds.
Salads with lots of greens
Next to a lamb steak you can put a salad with greens. Salads are great when you have cold symptoms. Greens contain vitamin E, an antioxidant. An observational study published in Nutrition Research found that supplementing the diet with 200 IU of vitamin E per day could significantly reduce the frequency and severity of respiratory infections.
FOTO: Shutterstock
2023-09-22 12:04:07
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