Ginger is commonly used in many traditional Eastern remedies, whether for cold or hot conditions, weak or strong states, often sliced into 3 to 5 pieces. Beyond its role in treating the flu and cold, using ginger properly can improve digestion, boost immunity, and relieve pain. With its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, sipping a warm cup of ginger tea is perfect for treating the flu or a cold. In traditional medicine, ginger is known for its spicy taste, warm nature, and its ability to act on the lungs, spleen, and stomach, providing relief for cold symptoms, warming the body, detoxifying, and aiding in fluid regulation. On those sudden cold days, a hot cup of ginger tea will help keep you feeling healthy. Aside from tea, you can also add ginger to various dishes to enhance immunity and prevent the flu and colds.
Drinking Ginger Tea to Prevent the Flu
Ginger Tea is Beneficial for Your Health
2. Enhance Your Meals with Turmeric
Herbalist Bui Hong Minh explains that in traditional Eastern medicine, turmeric roots (called uat kim) have a spicy, bitter, slightly sweet, and cool nature, while larger turmeric roots (khoa hoang) share similar qualities but are considered warmer. Uat kim affects the liver, heart, and lungs, helping to regulate qi and relieve stagnation, whereas khoa hoang has a stronger impact on the lungs, helps break down blood clots, and clears channels. This spice is highly anti-inflammatory, making it a powerful immune booster that should be incorporated into daily meals during colder weather. Turmeric is well known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which help reduce symptoms and speed up healing. Similar to garlic, it also helps expel phlegm from the respiratory system. To quickly alleviate flu symptoms during sudden weather changes, you can use turmeric as a remedy by consuming turmeric juice, turmeric starch, or adding turmeric to your dishes as a spice.
Adding Turmeric to Your Meals Helps Prevent Illness
Turmeric is Known for Its Anti-inflammatory and Antibacterial Properties, Helping to Relieve Symptoms and Promote Faster Recovery
3. Brightly Colored Vegetables and Fruits
Consuming foods rich in antioxidants offers numerous benefits, even when you are healthy, as they protect the body from chronic conditions. Your immune system can be weakened when you’re sick, and antioxidants play a vital role in strengthening the body’s defenses, aiding in a quicker recovery. Choose brightly colored foods such as bell peppers, oranges, and apples, as they are packed with powerful antioxidants. If you can’t eat much, opt for the ones that offer the highest value.
In addition, herbs such as onions, perilla, and Vietnamese mint are highly beneficial during the flu. Onions are known for their strong antiseptic properties and are often used to treat the flu effectively. Perilla is considered a natural antibiotic that works wonders against the flu. Folk remedies often include cooking onion and perilla porridge to quickly relieve flu symptoms.
Spices like Onions, Perilla, and Vietnamese Mint are Excellent for Treating the Flu
Brightly Colored Vegetables and Fruits Are Great for Your HealthYou can also enjoy beverages rich in antioxidants, such as orange juice. Studies have shown that orange juice can help reduce the duration of a cold or flu. However, excessive consumption of orange juice, leading to a large intake of vitamin C at once, may cause digestive issues. Instead of drinking a large glass of orange juice all at once, try diluting it with water and drinking several smaller glasses. This way, you can still meet the recommended daily intake of vitamin C.
Vitamin C in oranges is a powerful antioxidant that effectively neutralizes free radicals in the body. While there is ongoing debate about whether vitamin C can directly fight off the flu, it is certainly beneficial to consume vitamin C-rich foods year-round, especially when the body is weak or depleted. Top sources include oranges, tangerines, strawberries, pineapples, and vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. Additionally, vitamin C seems to be most effective for those who engage in regular physical activity.
The Vitamin C in Oranges is an Extremely Powerful Antioxidant
Incorporate fresh orange juice or orange segments into your daily routineAnother way to stay hydrated is by sipping on a warm cup of tea. Colds often cause symptoms affecting the upper respiratory system, so drinking hot beverages can help improve airflow better than room temperature water. Experts also recommend drinking green tea as it contains higher levels of antioxidants compared to black tea. You can add a little honey to soothe a sore throat and reduce coughing.
When you're sick with a cold, flu, or fever, replenishing fluids is crucial. Even if you're feeling perfectly fine, the polyphenols and catechins found in green tea help combat viruses and effectively boost the immune system. These compounds, especially EGCG, are among the strongest antioxidants today. Doctors say that green tea supports multiple organs like the heart, brain, joints, and metabolism, making it an excellent drink for preventing colds, especially during sudden temperature drops.
Drinking green tea helps prevent colds during sudden temperature changes
Green tea is rich in antioxidants.Studies have shown that the compound carnosine found in chicken soup supports the immune system in fighting off early-stage colds. However, research published in the American Journal of Therapeutics warns that the cold-fighting effect of chicken soup stops once the body expels it. This implies that a continuous supply of carnosine is needed. Chicken is also a nutritious food that can help replenish the body, enhance immunity, and can be used in various recipes. In traditional medicine, chicken is considered a valuable remedy for treating colds and flu. Specially, chicken soup made from hen meat is said to provide excellent nourishment and immune support for women, but it should not be consumed with garlic, dog liver, or mustard greens, as these can cause digestive issues.
Eating chicken soup can help prevent colds.
Eating chicken soup helps prevent colds.
7. Boost your intake of beef
One nutrient you should consider adding to your diet when dealing with a cold is zinc. This mineral strengthens the immune system and reduces the duration of a cold. Beef is rich in zinc, making it an excellent choice for both fighting and preventing colds. It is also high in protein and vitamin B, which helps in quick recovery from illnesses. In harsh northern winter conditions, a warm dish like beef soup with bean sprouts and a hint of spice from chili can be a great choice to nourish the body and combat cold-related diseases.
In 85g of beef, you'll find about 7mg of zinc, which is nearly half the recommended daily intake for an adult. Other zinc-rich foods include oysters and shrimp. Beef is easy to find and can be prepared in various delicious dishes, not only enhancing your meals but also helping to strengthen your immunity, especially during seasonal changes. So, why not prepare some hearty beef dishes for your family today?
Beef is a great source of zinc.
Beef and bean sprout soup is highly beneficial for flu patients.
8. Incorporate more beans into your diet
Beans provide an excellent source of protein that can help prevent colds and the flu. If the cold weather has left you with a sore throat and body aches, beans are a perfect choice, as they are easy to swallow and digest. You can also consider other forms of protein, such as protein drinks, or opt for other protein-rich foods that suit your taste. Plant-based protein from beans and peas is particularly easy to consume and nutritious. Like chicken, beans are delicious in soups and stews.
In addition to chicken and beef, beans are an ideal protein source for preventing colds and the flu. If the cold weather has left you feeling unwell with a sore throat and body pain, bean-based dishes are an excellent solution. You can easily add a variety of beans to stews and soups, which are flavorful, soft, and easy to eat while boosting your immune system, easing body aches, and reducing the risk of getting sick as the temperature drops suddenly.
Eating a variety of beans is great for your health.
Eating a variety of beans helps prevent the flu.
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