The Foods You Need to Keep Colds Away This Winter

As a wife and Mum, I have been really lucky that myself, my husband and little baby boy all have managed to stay really well and healthy over the past few years without getting many illnesses. I definitely attribute this to our healthy lifestyle and in particular the foods we choose to eat. Foods have medicinal properties that will support different aspects of your body. Since we are coming into the cooler months (or they are well and truly here!) I wanted to share the top foods you can try and incorporate into your diet that will help support your family’s immune system this Winter season.

Grapefruit
Grapefruit is high in vitamin C content and it’s fairly well known that foods rich in vitamin C will strengthen and support our immune systems. Even just half a grapefruit will provide you with roughly 78% of the recommended Vitamin C intake! By maintaining good levels of vitamin C in the body, it can actually reduce the severity of cold symptoms.

Mushrooms
Mushrooms help alkalise the body, which is associated with improved immunity. They also have the natural ability to fight harmful bacteria and viruses. Mushrooms need to have strong antibacterial and antifungal compounds to survive in their natural environment, and it’s these beneficial compounds can be isolated from many mushrooms and used to protect human cells!

Garlic
Garlic contains compounds that help the immune system fight germs. The compound allicin is the main active constituent in garlic, which converts to other sulphur-containing compounds that are thought to give garlic its medicinal properties. These sulphur-containing compounds have been shown to boost the disease-fighting response of some cells in the body when they encounter viruses, such as the common cold or flu. Studies have shown that garlic reduces the risk of becoming sick in the first place, as well as the severity of symptoms.

Herbal Teas
Herbal teas have traditionally been used to treat various things in the body. Elder, Thyme, Yarrow and Lemon are all herbal teas that have evidence to support their enhancement of the body’s immune system. Elder has positive scientific evidence to support efficacy for treating the flu, while it has traditionally been used for coughs and laryngitis. Thyme has antimicrobial, antiseptic and antibacterial properties and was traditionally used in upper respiratory infections. Yarrow has been traditionally used to treat the common cold, while Lemon contains essential oils that have antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Essential Oils
OK, so they aren’t technically a food but we can class them as that when we take them internally right? For immune support, take one drop of Lemon and OnGuard essential oil with a teaspoon on honey, or place one drop of Frankincense under the tongue.

If you want to know more my eBook, Simple Steps to Health, details more simple action steps you can take to lead a healthier lifestyle.

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