If you have a runny nose, hoarseness, sore throat, or cough... Foods to eat to prevent infection
The common cold causes symptoms such as a runny nose, hoarseness, sore throat, and cough. Most people usually buy medication from the pharmacy to relieve these symptoms.
Taking a walk in fresh air can be beneficial during a cold, but rest is recommended in the early stage of the illness.
What effect does nutrition have on the common cold?
Does nutrition have a positive effect on the immune system?
Supporting the body’s own immune system is a complex process made up of specialized cells, messenger substances, and proteins. For our immune system to work healthily and properly, we also need to take in sufficient amounts of vital nutrients.
So, which components and foods are important during a cold?
If you have a cold, you should make sure you are getting enough vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. You can meet these nutritional needs by consuming plenty of seasonal vegetables, fruit, and whole-grain products.
Vitamin C is an important radical scavenger and a powerful antioxidant
A great deal is known about the effects of vitamin C. Unfortunately, our bodies cannot produce vitamin C themselves, so it must be obtained through food.
Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that neutralizes and blocks free radicals. Since free radicals increase during a cold, sufficient vitamin C should be taken. We need to take vitamin C not only during cold periods but also at other times. Vitamin C is found in abundance in foods such as rosehip, citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, peppers, parsley, dill, and broccoli. Consuming enough of these vital foods can help prevent the common cold.
DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS, EAT LESS!
In febrile illnesses and colds, the human nervous system responds primarily by reducing appetite and increasing thirst. This perceptual strategy is quite logical. Because the body must use all of its strength to fight viruses or bacteria. In these situations, digesting heavy meals would cause a large portion of the body’s energy to be spent. The need for water generally increases during infectious illnesses; if the water needs of the immune system’s cells are met, the cells become more mobile and more aggressive.
PUMPKIN
Today, pumpkin is the first food of choice during a cold. It contains carotenoids — precursors of vitamin A, the vitamin of the mucous membranes — at an above-average level of around 2 milligrams. It also contains significant amounts of vitamin C, folic acid, pyridoxine, vitamin E, magnesium, and zinc (found especially in the seeds). Another advantage of this large, round fruit is that it is tasty enough for even children with reduced appetite to enjoy eating.
Since pumpkin has a low fat and protein content, it does not strain the patient’s digestive system; on the other hand, it is composed of about 91.3% water, which again helps meet the patient’s increased need for fluids.
When pumpkin is combined with apple and cucumber to make a sweet-sour salad, it takes on a fruity taste. When mixed with squash and lemon balm, on the other hand, the vegetable flavor comes to the fore.
GARLIC
Garlic contains numerous vitamins that help strengthen the immune system. The allicin it contains is germicidal. In addition, since this active substance is excreted through respiration, it produces a noticeable reduction in bronchial spasm.
The effect of odorless garlic tablets is debatable, since they are intended to achieve the therapeutic effects of allicin exhaled through the breath. Consuming at least one clove of garlic daily, or two to three cloves during a cold, is beneficial. The typical odor is unavoidable, but it diminishes somewhat over time with regular consumption.
GARDEN CRESS
Garden cress and monastery cress contain large amounts of benzyl isothiocyanate, which has antibiotic effects, as well as an abundance of vitamin C, carotenoids, potassium, and magnesium.
-Vitamin A increases the resistance of the mucous membranes in the nose, throat, and bronchial region. Ideal sources of vitamin A are carotenoid-containing pumpkin, mango, garden cress, and carrots.
-Magnesium supports the formation of cells that develop antibodies. Adequate magnesium intake is ensured through plenty of water and raw vegetable consumption.
-Zinc participates in antibody production and, even more importantly, increases the resilience of T-lymphocytes, which are very important for the immune system. This mineral is found especially in almonds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, and green leafy vegetables.
For the common cold: Ginger - The virus-killing substances in ginger tea prevent infection, reduce pain and fever, and suppress coughing. Its calming properties help you rest. To make ginger tea, slice a 2.5 cm piece of fresh ginger root. Place it in a non-aluminum container and add two glasses of water. Cover the container tightly and boil for 20 minutes. Squeeze in the juice of half a lemon and sweeten with honey.
HONEY
When the sugar in honey combines with saliva, antibiotic substances are produced. It also has a high energy content (approximately 300 kcal per 100 grams), and the digestive system does not need to work hard to release this energy. This makes honey an ideal food precisely during a cold, when appetite is reduced.
Honey – a rediscovered miracle weapon!
Even the ancient Buddhists knew the value of honey’s germicidal properties. It was used for all kinds of illnesses, severe bleeding, and injuries.
PHENOLIC ACIDS
These substances belong to the polyphenol group. Ferulic acid, found in coffee and carrots, is one of them. Polyphenols not only act as antibiotics but also have healing effects against cancer.
GINGER WARMS YOUR BODY FROM WITHIN
Ginger has antimicrobial effects and stimulates blood circulation in the mucous membranes. For this reason, it clears a blocked nose. It also has a positive effect on blood circulation.
We also know that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and rapeseed oil have an anti-inflammatory effect.
In conclusion, keeping the immune system strong reduces your risk of becoming ill. To achieve this, it is necessary to increase physical activity, pay attention to seasonal food consumption, reduce consumption of animal products, quit or reduce smoking and alcohol consumption, increase the body’s tolerance to seasonal transitions by alternating hot and cold baths, promote the elimination of toxins from the body by sweating in a sauna or Turkish bath, get quality sleep, take care to maintain healthy gut flora, and gargle with Himalayan salt or rock salt if there is pain or burning in the mouth and throat area. By periodically supporting your flora with probiotics, you can increase your body’s resistance against the viruses you encounter.
For more information on this and similar topics, you may benefit from my books “Why Are We Living Wrong” and “Neural Therapy – Another Treatment Is Possible.”