Many people catch a cold in autumn and winter – it’s hard to avoid. Fortunately, however, some foods can help you with a cold. Other products, on the other hand, should be avoided.
Most of us can’t avoid the obligatory cold in autumn or winter. Resting and relying on tried-and-tested home remedies often helps against an acute cold. However, besides taking medication, there is another way to boost your health: the right foods and having time to enjoy them at BetLabel.
A healthy, balanced diet makes sense at every stage of life and supports your health. With illnesses like the common cold, eating the right foods is even more important to relieve your symptoms and support your immune system. Some foods should be on your menu when you have a cold.
Fruit and Vegetables
You should eat at least 400 grams of fruit and vegetables daily: It’s best to eat a colourful mix, as each variety contains various health-promoting ingredients. Some types of fruit and vegetables should be particularly favored when you have a cold:
- Citrus fruits such as grapefruit, oranges, clementines, mandarins, lemons, and limes are rich in vitamin C. This vitamin strengthens the immune system and can shorten the duration of a cold.
- Kiwis contain many important nutrients, such as potassium, vitamin C, carotenoids, fiber, vitamin K, and antioxidants, and they have an anti-inflammatory effect.
- Pomegranates have an antiviral effect, promote healthy intestinal flora, and can counteract the development of dangerous germs.
- Green leafy vegetables such as spinach or kale contain vitamins A, C, and K and antioxidants that support the immune system.
Necessary: Citrus fruits, kiwis, and the like often have a very long journey behind them before they reach Germany from distant growing regions. Therefore, look for a label of European origin and an organic label if possible. In winter, for example, mandarins and oranges come from Spain and kiwis from Italy.
Water and Tea
Drinking plenty of water helps prevent sickness and helps one recover quickly: it keeps the mucous membranes moisturized and helps the body get rid of toxins.
Tea also helps with a cold: teas made from ginger, elderflower, fennel, aniseed, camomile, caraway, mint, and thyme are particularly recommended. It is best not to drink it too hot but lukewarm – drinks that are too hot are suspected of favoring oesophageal cancer.
Garlic and Onions
Garlic and onions should be on your menu during a cold: They come from the same plant family, have an anti-inflammatory effect, and can alleviate cold symptoms. Freshly chopped garlic contains various sulfur-containing compounds such as sulphoxides, proteins, and polyphenols, which can have an antiviral and strengthening effect on the immune system.
The onion was not the medicinal plant of 2015 for nothing: thanks to its antioxidant sulfur compounds, it has an antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effect. A homemade cough syrup with honey is a good home remedy made from fresh onions.
Almonds
Almonds can influence immunological and inflammatory processes. In particular, the vitamin E, unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and various flavonoids they contain to ensure that almonds contribute to a strong immune system.
Turmeric and Ginger
Turmeric and ginger are delicious spices and can help with colds. Turmeric contains the active ingredient curcumin, known for its antioxidant properties. Turmeric can also have an immune-boosting and antiviral effect.
Among other things, ginger contains the bioactive, pungent ingredient gingerol, which can have an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and stimulating effect. Ginger can also have an antiemetic effect, which means it can prevent vomiting. With its pungency, ginger also stimulates blood flow and circulation. Ginger can, therefore, help with a cold in many ways – it’s not for nothing that there is so much hype about ginger shots.
