Foods to fight flu and colds

The winter and spring months usually come accompanied by cold days that bring with them the most feared illnesses of this season: flu and colds. Accident and emergency departments become overwhelmed and we all rush to the doctor’s surgery to get a prescription for something to help us get rid of the malaise.

What few people know is that food has many healing properties and which help to combat the symptoms of flu and colds by reducing fever, general malaise, fatigue and even nasal congestion.

Doctors always recommend consuming large quantities of liquids for a quicker recovery and they are quite right. During a bout of flu it is necessary to increase fluid and calorie intake to help our body combat the toll that fighting the illness takes.

That is why today we have prepared a post for you with some foods that they will help us to recover in case of a cold or flu.

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES RICH IN VITAMIN C

Vitamin C does not cure flu, but it does help to relieve its symptoms to a large extent thanks to its defensive properties. Citrus fruits such as oranges, kiwis, mandarins, grapefruit, peppers and dark leafy greens are vital for defensive cells to function properly.

GARLIC AND ONION

Garlic and onions are other foods that cannot be missing from our larder.

Garlic helps combat symptoms such as a cough and sinusitis thanks to its properties antibacterial and antiviral. Ideally, it should be eaten raw so that it keeps all its properties.

The onion should also be eaten raw and is the food richest in quercetin. Quercetin is a natural anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and antioxidant. Furthermore, not only does consuming it help us, but we can also leave half a cut onion on our bedside table to help us breathe better due to its expectorant properties that help to dissolve mucus.

GINGER

This food helps to cleanse the respiratory tract and relieve the symptoms of nasal congestion. In addition, it possesses photochemicals that combat viruses that can cause respiratory illnesses.

HONEY

Honey acts directly on the throat and helps fight infections due to its antiseptic properties.

Fungi and toadstools

Thanks to their high vitamin D content, mushrooms are excellent allies for boost the immune system.

FOODS CONTAINING ZINC

Pulses, nuts, boiled eggs or pumpkin seeds are some foods with high levels of zinc that will help us in the respiratory mucosa regeneration and, therefore, will speed up recovery. In fact, flu is often associated with a lack of zinc in our bodies.

Normally during colds that involve fever and malaise, appetite tends to decrease, but it is of great importance to consume this type of food as we will manage to minimise the symptoms of the illness and feel better much faster.

The possibilities for preparing them are endless: raw, boiled, in a salad, in a broth or soup, as an infusion... I'm sure no-one can resist a nice, warm little broth if, on top of that, it's going to make them feel much better.

If you have any questions or fancy starting to prevent a cold by trying these foods in our organic restaurant in Malaga feel free to contact with us.