Flu-fighting foods
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We've compiled the top 10 flu-fighting foods you need to know about to help you stay fit this season - and reduce your cold and flu symptoms if you're already ill. Click through our gallery below for some of our favourite foods that heal.
- Chicken soup<p> Chicken soup has long been a go-to cold cure thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mucous-thinning properties. Adding noodles or vegetables will help bolster the immune system with additional carbs and nutrients, and give your body a much-needed energy boost.</p>
- Garlic<p> Not great for your breath, garlic is good for your body, thanks to allicin (produced when garlic is crushed), which helps fight infections.</p>
- Mushrooms<p> These immune-boosters contain cytokines which help defend the body against viruses and tumours. A 2011 study found that the <a href="http://lifestyle.aol.co.uk/2011/12/20/mushroom-omelette-could-cut-your-risk-of-pancreatic-cancer/" target="_self">selenium and nickel in mushrooms can also help reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer</a>.</p>
- Sweet potatoes<p> Full of fibre and beta-carotene - which is converted to vitamin A in the body and helps with respiratory infections - sweet potatoes are among the tastiest immune-boosters. Other orange foods like carrots and squash are also good.</p>
- Oats<p> Packed with vitamins E and B as well as beta-glucan, a fibre with strong antioxidant capabilities, oats have been found to help stave off flu and herpes in animals, as well as boosting immunity and healing wounds faster in humans. </p>
- Chilli peppers<p> Hot peppers have capsaicin, which will thin mucous and help with congestion. Make a warming, veggie-packed chilli dish to get a nutrient boost and energy levels up. </p>
- Strawberries<p> While vitamin C's flu-fighting effects are debatable, it's still a powerful antioxidant that helps lower blood pressure, boosts collagen production and acts as a natural antihistamine. Strawberries are packed with vitamin C and aid in reducing inflammation, as well as preventing cancer and promoting heart health.</p>
- Tea with honey and ginger<p> Full of antibacterial polyphenols which are anti-viral and anti-inflammatory, tea (without milk) is an easy, natural cold fighter. Add honey for energy (it will help with a sore throat and will fight off bacterial infections), and some ginger to calm an upset stomach.</p>
- Dark chocolate<p> Here's some tasty news: dark chocolate can help boost your immunity, thanks to high cocoa levels which support the body's T-cells and help aid in fighting infection. In addition, dark chocolate's theobromine content has been found to work as a cough suppressant. </p>
- Yoghurt<p> A study found that the probiotics in yoghurts with live and active cultures may reduce cold and flu symptoms, cutting the duration of a fever, cold and runny nose.</p>
