I definitely haven’t been feeling like my sunny self these past few days fighting belly aches, fever, chills and a sore throat. It’s flu season, and my body has picked up some bug somewhere.
So, while I was "belly aching" about my recent bout with a nasty bug, I asked myself if there were any foods to help me fight this off, and any viruses in the future. One Google search later, this is some of what I found:
Introducing: Flu-fighting foods!
- Garlic – it may give you stinky breath, but it’s fabulous for your body. Garlic contains compounds called allion and allicin, which have direct antiviral effects. So eat garlic, LOTS of it.
- Spices – turmeric, cloves and cinnamon, for example, are packed with anti-oxidants which can help boost your immune system. So, spice up your next meal!
- Chicken soup – it turns out my grandma was right. Researchers found that the soup warms your nose and throat, making it an unwelcome place for viruses which prefer cool areas. Also, some research has found that chicken has flu-fighting capabilities.
- Dark chocolate - a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition says it can boost your immunity. High doses of cocoa support T-helper cells, which increase the immune system’s ability to defend against infection. This news makes this dark chocolate lover very happy.
- Tea – researchers at Harvard University found that drinking five cups of black tea a day quadrupled the body’s immune defence system after two weeks. Green and white teas are also known for their health benefits.
I am planning on consuming lots of the above the next few days (sorry in advance about the garlic breath). Are there any flu-fighting foods that you would add to the list?
And while we are on the topic, here are some Red Cross flu prevention tips.