Top 10 Superfoods that Fight the Common Cold

No one is immune from the common cold. Some 200 viruses can cause common colds, with the rhinoviruses being the most widespread culprit.
This highly contagious viral infection primarily affects the upper part of the respiratory system including the nose and throat. It spreads mostly through coughing and sneezing.
According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, roughly 1 billion people suffer from the common cold each year in the United States.
Symptoms of common colds include sore throat, stuffy nose, swelling of the sinuses, sneezing, coughing, slight fever and frequent headaches.
Also, the body often becomes weak leading to decreased productivity, missed work, missed school and other problems. These symptoms can last between two and 14 days. However, most people recover fully within 10 days.
There is no known cure. Measures to fight cold symptoms range from home remedies to over-the-counter medicines. Certain superfoods also can help fight as well as prevent common colds.









Here are the top 10 superfoods that fight the common cold.
1. GREEN TEA
Green tea is loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants as well as antiviral and antibacterial properties that help fight colds.
In particular, a group of antioxidants known as catechins have been shown to inhibit the activity of the common cold virus as well as certain influenza viruses. Also, green tea helps boost overall immunity and revives the metabolism rate.
Enjoy two or three cups of green tea daily to prevent or fight the common cold. You can add lemon and honey to enhance the taste, but avoid adding milk. When drinking the tea, try to inhale the steam also. It will help to reduce congestion and open up a blocked nose.
2. GARLIC
Garlic is well known for its strong antiviral and antibacterial properties and has been used for ages to fight the common cold and many of its symptoms. Plus, it contains allicin, a sulfuric compound that produces potent antioxidants and offers many medicinal benefits.
Also, garlic is one of best immune-boosting foods that help the body ward off and fight infections. A 2001 study published in the journal Advances in Therapy found that taking garlic supplements daily helps prevent colds.
Eat one to two raw garlic cloves or add a few drops of garlic oil in your food and drinks regularly to prevent as well as fight common colds.
If you have a cold, you can boil a few chopped garlic cloves in one cup of water. Remove from heat, and add one teaspoon of honey. Drink it two or three times a day until your cold is gone.
3. ORANGES
Oranges are full of vitamin C and can help deal with different types of viral infections, including the common cold. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps boost your immune system. It promotes the production of white blood cells that fight infections.
Drink one to two glasses of orange juice daily to prevent and fight infections and improve your immune system. Also, drinking orange juice will help keep your body well hydrated, which is very important for overall health.
4. BLUEBERRIES
A compound called quercetin present in blueberries can help reduce the likelihood of getting a cold. Also, blueberries are packed with various antioxidants and disease-fighting nutrients like vitamin C that boost your immune system and help your body fight infections.
Frozen and fresh blueberries have equal nutrition, so you can use either to fight common colds.
5. MUSHROOMS
In traditional Chinese medicine, mushrooms are often used to fight the common cold and other types of viral infections. Mushrooms increase the production of cytokines, which in turn help fight off infections. Plus, mushrooms contain polysaccharides that support the immune system.
Mushrooms are also known for their strong antiviral and antibacterial properties and contain many essential nutrients.
To fight a cold, your best choices of mushrooms are white button, portobello, shiitake and maitake. You can add mushrooms in stir fry or salads or enjoy a warm bowl of mushroom soup.
6. YOGURT
There are more than 10 trillion bacteria living in our gastrointestinal tracts that are essential for our overall health. It’s important to ensure that the good bacteria outnumber the bad. You can do this by including probiotic food like yogurt in your regular diet.
Also, yogurt boosts your immune system to help your body naturally fight off infections like the common cold. For maximum health benefits, buy yogurt with “live and active cultures”.
Eating one-half cup of yogurt daily can reduce the incidence of common colds and other viral infections. You can add fruits or nuts to your yogurt to make it tastier and healthier.


7. SWEET POTATOES

Being rich in beta-carotene, sweet potatoes also play a key role in preventing common colds. When consumed, beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A, which is essential for maintaining a strong immune system and a well-functioning body.
Vitamin A also keeps the mucous membranes that line the nose and throat healthy and functioning properly. So if you do get a cold, symptoms will be mild and you will recover faster.


Eat one-half cup of boiled or roasted sweet potatoes on regular basis to improve your immune system and fight off common colds.
8. BRAZIL NUTS

These rich, creamy nuts are high in selenium, a mineral that improves the immune system and helps fight infections including common colds. Selenium also helps prevent cellular damage from free radicals by helping to form infection-fighting T-cells.
In addition, Brazil nuts contain minerals like zinc and iron as well as vitamin C that are essential for maintaining a strong immune system.
Just one or two Brazil nuts daily will provide your body with the required dose of selenium for preventing the common cold and flu.


9. PUMPKIN SEEDS

Pumpkin seeds are loaded with zinc, a mineral that plays a key role in fighting off common colds. Zinc boosts the immune system and has an antimicrobial effect, so it helps kill the viruses that cause common colds. Foods rich in zinc can also help cut down the duration of common cold symptoms.
You can eat roasted pumpkin seeds as a snack or include them in salads, soups, yogurt or other meals.


10. Red Bell Pepper

Red bell peppers are packed full of nutrients, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that play a key role in maintaining a healthy body and strong immune system. They are also rich in vitamin C that helps boost the immune system and prevent common colds.
Red peppers can be eaten raw, roasted, fried, grilled or steamed. Just one cup of a raw red bell pepper will be more than sufficient to fullfil your recommended daily intake of vitamin C.
Make these superfoods a part of your daily diet to give your body its best defense against common colds. Also, remember that the best prevention is washing your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water.
Cold viruses primarily spread when your hands pick up a virus from an infected person or an object where viruses are present like doorknobs, and then you touch your mouth, nose or eyes.
Plus, drink plenty of fluids to help loosen congestion and prevent dehydration. A good way to do this is to have hot chicken soup as it will speed up the movement of mucus and reduce congestion.

Top 10 Superfoods that Fight the Common Cold

No one is immune from the common cold. Some 200 viruses can cause common colds, with the rhinoviruses being the most widespread culprit.
This highly contagious viral infection primarily affects the upper part of the respiratory system including the nose and throat. It spreads mostly through coughing and sneezing.
According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, roughly 1 billion people suffer from the common cold each year in the United States.
Symptoms of common colds include sore throat, stuffy nose, swelling of the sinuses, sneezing, coughing, slight fever and frequent headaches.
Also, the body often becomes weak leading to decreased productivity, missed work, missed school and other problems. These symptoms can last between two and 14 days. However, most people recover fully within 10 days.
There is no known cure. Measures to fight cold symptoms range from home remedies to over-the-counter medicines. Certain superfoods also can help fight as well as prevent common colds.









Here are the top 10 superfoods that fight the common cold.
1. GREEN TEA
Green tea is loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants as well as antiviral and antibacterial properties that help fight colds.
In particular, a group of antioxidants known as catechins have been shown to inhibit the activity of the common cold virus as well as certain influenza viruses. Also, green tea helps boost overall immunity and revives the metabolism rate.
Enjoy two or three cups of green tea daily to prevent or fight the common cold. You can add lemon and honey to enhance the taste, but avoid adding milk. When drinking the tea, try to inhale the steam also. It will help to reduce congestion and open up a blocked nose.
2. GARLIC
Garlic is well known for its strong antiviral and antibacterial properties and has been used for ages to fight the common cold and many of its symptoms. Plus, it contains allicin, a sulfuric compound that produces potent antioxidants and offers many medicinal benefits.
Also, garlic is one of best immune-boosting foods that help the body ward off and fight infections. A 2001 study published in the journal Advances in Therapy found that taking garlic supplements daily helps prevent colds.
Eat one to two raw garlic cloves or add a few drops of garlic oil in your food and drinks regularly to prevent as well as fight common colds.
If you have a cold, you can boil a few chopped garlic cloves in one cup of water. Remove from heat, and add one teaspoon of honey. Drink it two or three times a day until your cold is gone.
3. ORANGES
Oranges are full of vitamin C and can help deal with different types of viral infections, including the common cold. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps boost your immune system. It promotes the production of white blood cells that fight infections.
Drink one to two glasses of orange juice daily to prevent and fight infections and improve your immune system. Also, drinking orange juice will help keep your body well hydrated, which is very important for overall health.
4. BLUEBERRIES
A compound called quercetin present in blueberries can help reduce the likelihood of getting a cold. Also, blueberries are packed with various antioxidants and disease-fighting nutrients like vitamin C that boost your immune system and help your body fight infections.
Frozen and fresh blueberries have equal nutrition, so you can use either to fight common colds.
5. MUSHROOMS
In traditional Chinese medicine, mushrooms are often used to fight the common cold and other types of viral infections. Mushrooms increase the production of cytokines, which in turn help fight off infections. Plus, mushrooms contain polysaccharides that support the immune system.
Mushrooms are also known for their strong antiviral and antibacterial properties and contain many essential nutrients.
To fight a cold, your best choices of mushrooms are white button, portobello, shiitake and maitake. You can add mushrooms in stir fry or salads or enjoy a warm bowl of mushroom soup.
6. YOGURT
There are more than 10 trillion bacteria living in our gastrointestinal tracts that are essential for our overall health. It’s important to ensure that the good bacteria outnumber the bad. You can do this by including probiotic food like yogurt in your regular diet.
Also, yogurt boosts your immune system to help your body naturally fight off infections like the common cold. For maximum health benefits, buy yogurt with “live and active cultures”.
Eating one-half cup of yogurt daily can reduce the incidence of common colds and other viral infections. You can add fruits or nuts to your yogurt to make it tastier and healthier.


7. SWEET POTATOES

Being rich in beta-carotene, sweet potatoes also play a key role in preventing common colds. When consumed, beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A, which is essential for maintaining a strong immune system and a well-functioning body.
Vitamin A also keeps the mucous membranes that line the nose and throat healthy and functioning properly. So if you do get a cold, symptoms will be mild and you will recover faster.


Eat one-half cup of boiled or roasted sweet potatoes on regular basis to improve your immune system and fight off common colds.
8. BRAZIL NUTS

These rich, creamy nuts are high in selenium, a mineral that improves the immune system and helps fight infections including common colds. Selenium also helps prevent cellular damage from free radicals by helping to form infection-fighting T-cells.
In addition, Brazil nuts contain minerals like zinc and iron as well as vitamin C that are essential for maintaining a strong immune system.
Just one or two Brazil nuts daily will provide your body with the required dose of selenium for preventing the common cold and flu.


9. PUMPKIN SEEDS

Pumpkin seeds are loaded with zinc, a mineral that plays a key role in fighting off common colds. Zinc boosts the immune system and has an antimicrobial effect, so it helps kill the viruses that cause common colds. Foods rich in zinc can also help cut down the duration of common cold symptoms.
You can eat roasted pumpkin seeds as a snack or include them in salads, soups, yogurt or other meals.


10. Red Bell Pepper

Red bell peppers are packed full of nutrients, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that play a key role in maintaining a healthy body and strong immune system. They are also rich in vitamin C that helps boost the immune system and prevent common colds.
Red peppers can be eaten raw, roasted, fried, grilled or steamed. Just one cup of a raw red bell pepper will be more than sufficient to fullfil your recommended daily intake of vitamin C.
Make these superfoods a part of your daily diet to give your body its best defense against common colds. Also, remember that the best prevention is washing your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water.
Cold viruses primarily spread when your hands pick up a virus from an infected person or an object where viruses are present like doorknobs, and then you touch your mouth, nose or eyes.
Plus, drink plenty of fluids to help loosen congestion and prevent dehydration. A good way to do this is to have hot chicken soup as it will speed up the movement of mucus and reduce congestion.

Top 10 Superfoods that Fight the Common Cold

No one is immune from the common cold. Some 200 viruses can cause common colds, with the rhinoviruses being the most widespread culprit.

This highly contagious viral infection primarily affects the upper part of the respiratory system including the nose and throat. It spreads mostly through coughing and sneezing.

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, roughly 1 billion people suffer from the common cold each year in the United States.

Symptoms of common colds include sore throat, stuffy nose, swelling of the sinuses, sneezing, coughing, slight fever and frequent headaches.

Also, the body often becomes weak leading to decreased productivity, missed work, missed school and other problems. These symptoms can last between two and 14 days. However, most people recover fully within 10 days.

There is no known cure. Measures to fight cold symptoms range from home remedies to over-the-counter medicines. Certain superfoods also can help fight as well as prevent common colds.

Here are the top 10 superfoods that fight the common cold.

1. GREEN TEA

Green tea is loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants as well as antiviral and antibacterial properties that help fight colds.

In particular, a group of antioxidants known as catechins have been shown to inhibit the activity of the common cold virus as well as certain influenza viruses. Also, green tea helps boost overall immunity and revives the metabolism rate.

Enjoy two or three cups of green tea daily to prevent or fight the common cold. You can add lemon and honey to enhance the taste, but avoid adding milk. When drinking the tea, try to inhale the steam also. It will help to reduce congestion and open up a blocked nose.

2. GARLIC

Garlic is well known for its strong antiviral and antibacterial properties and has been used for ages to fight the common cold and many of its symptoms. Plus, it contains allicin, a sulfuric compound that produces potent antioxidants and offers many medicinal benefits.

Also, garlic is one of best immune-boosting foods that help the body ward off and fight infections. A 2001 study published in the journal Advances in Therapy found that taking garlic supplements daily helps prevent colds.

• Eat one to two raw garlic cloves or add a few drops of garlic oil in your food and drinks regularly to prevent as well as fight common colds.
• If you have a cold, you can boil a few chopped garlic cloves in one cup of water. Remove from heat, and add one teaspoon of honey. Drink it two or three times a day until your cold is gone.

3. ORANGES

Oranges are full of vitamin C and can help deal with different types of viral infections, including the common cold. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps boost your immune system. It promotes the production of white blood cells that fight infections.

Drink one to two glasses of orange juice daily to prevent and fight infections and improve your immune system. Also, drinking orange juice will help keep your body well hydrated, which is very important for overall health.

4. BLUEBERRIES

A compound called quercetin present in blueberries can help reduce the likelihood of getting a cold. Also, blueberries are packed with various antioxidants and disease-fighting nutrients like vitamin C that boost your immune system and help your body fight infections.

Frozen and fresh blueberries have equal nutrition, so you can use either to fight common colds.

5. MUSHROOMS

In traditional Chinese medicine, mushrooms are often used to fight the common cold and other types of viral infections. Mushrooms increase the production of cytokines, which in turn help fight off infections. Plus, mushrooms contain polysaccharides that support the immune system.

Mushrooms are also known for their strong antiviral and antibacterial properties and contain many essential nutrients.

To fight a cold, your best choices of mushrooms are white button, portobello, shiitake and maitake. You can add mushrooms in stir fry or salads or enjoy a warm bowl of mushroom soup.

6. YOGURT

There are more than 10 trillion bacteria living in our gastrointestinal tracts that are essential for our overall health. It’s important to ensure that the good bacteria outnumber the bad. You can do this by including probiotic food like yogurt in your regular diet.

Also, yogurt boosts your immune system to help your body naturally fight off infections like the common cold. For maximum health benefits, buy yogurt with “live and active cultures”.

Eating one-half cup of yogurt daily can reduce the incidence of common colds and other viral infections. You can add fruits or nuts to your yogurt to make it tastier and healthier.

7. SWEET POTATOES

Being rich in beta-carotene, sweet potatoes also play a key role in preventing common colds. When consumed, beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A, which is essential for maintaining a strong immune system and a well-functioning body.

Vitamin A also keeps the mucous membranes that line the nose and throat healthy and functioning properly. So if you do get a cold, symptoms will be mild and you will recover faster.

Eat one-half cup of boiled or roasted sweet potatoes on regular basis to improve your immune system and fight off common colds.

8. BRAZIL NUTS

These rich, creamy nuts are high in selenium, a mineral that improves the immune system and helps fight infections including common colds. Selenium also helps prevent cellular damage from free radicals by helping to form infection-fighting T-cells.

In addition, Brazil nuts contain minerals like zinc and iron as well as vitamin C that are essential for maintaining a strong immune system.

Just one or two Brazil nuts daily will provide your body with the required dose of selenium for preventing the common cold and flu.

9. PUMPKIN SEEDS

Pumpkin seeds are loaded with zinc, a mineral that plays a key role in fighting off common colds. Zinc boosts the immune system and has an antimicrobial effect, so it helps kill the viruses that cause common colds. Foods rich in zinc can also help cut down the duration of common cold symptoms.

You can eat roasted pumpkin seeds as a snack or include them in salads, soups, yogurt or other meals.

10. Red Bell Pepper

Red bell peppers are packed full of nutrients, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that play a key role in maintaining a healthy body and strong immune system. They are also rich in vitamin C that helps boost the immune system and prevent common colds.

Red peppers can be eaten raw, roasted, fried, grilled or steamed. Just one cup of a raw red bell pepper will be more than sufficient to fullfil your recommended daily intake of vitamin C.

Make these superfoods a part of your daily diet to give your body its best defense against common colds. Also, remember that the best prevention is washing your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water.

Cold viruses primarily spread when your hands pick up a virus from an infected person or an object where viruses are present like doorknobs, and then you touch your mouth, nose or eyes.

Plus, drink plenty of fluids to help loosen congestion and prevent dehydration. A good way to do this is to have hot chicken soup as it will speed up the movement of mucus and reduce congestion.

Top 10 Superfoods that Fight the Common Cold

No one is immune from the common cold. Some 200 viruses can cause common colds, with the rhinoviruses being the most widespread culprit.
This highly contagious viral infection primarily affects the upper part of the respiratory system including the nose and throat. It spreads mostly through coughing and sneezing.
According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, roughly 1 billion people suffer from the common cold each year in the United States.
Symptoms of common colds include sore throat, stuffy nose, swelling of the sinuses, sneezing, coughing, slight fever and frequent headaches.
Also, the body often becomes weak leading to decreased productivity, missed work, missed school and other problems. These symptoms can last between two and 14 days. However, most people recover fully within 10 days.
There is no known cure. Measures to fight cold symptoms range from home remedies to over-the-counter medicines. Certain superfoods also can help fight as well as prevent common colds.









Here are the top 10 superfoods that fight the common cold.
1. GREEN TEA
Green tea is loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants as well as antiviral and antibacterial properties that help fight colds.
In particular, a group of antioxidants known as catechins have been shown to inhibit the activity of the common cold virus as well as certain influenza viruses. Also, green tea helps boost overall immunity and revives the metabolism rate.
Enjoy two or three cups of green tea daily to prevent or fight the common cold. You can add lemon and honey to enhance the taste, but avoid adding milk. When drinking the tea, try to inhale the steam also. It will help to reduce congestion and open up a blocked nose.
2. GARLIC
Garlic is well known for its strong antiviral and antibacterial properties and has been used for ages to fight the common cold and many of its symptoms. Plus, it contains allicin, a sulfuric compound that produces potent antioxidants and offers many medicinal benefits.
Also, garlic is one of best immune-boosting foods that help the body ward off and fight infections. A 2001 study published in the journal Advances in Therapy found that taking garlic supplements daily helps prevent colds.
Eat one to two raw garlic cloves or add a few drops of garlic oil in your food and drinks regularly to prevent as well as fight common colds.
If you have a cold, you can boil a few chopped garlic cloves in one cup of water. Remove from heat, and add one teaspoon of honey. Drink it two or three times a day until your cold is gone.
3. ORANGES
Oranges are full of vitamin C and can help deal with different types of viral infections, including the common cold. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps boost your immune system. It promotes the production of white blood cells that fight infections.
Drink one to two glasses of orange juice daily to prevent and fight infections and improve your immune system. Also, drinking orange juice will help keep your body well hydrated, which is very important for overall health.
4. BLUEBERRIES
A compound called quercetin present in blueberries can help reduce the likelihood of getting a cold. Also, blueberries are packed with various antioxidants and disease-fighting nutrients like vitamin C that boost your immune system and help your body fight infections.
Frozen and fresh blueberries have equal nutrition, so you can use either to fight common colds.
5. MUSHROOMS
In traditional Chinese medicine, mushrooms are often used to fight the common cold and other types of viral infections. Mushrooms increase the production of cytokines, which in turn help fight off infections. Plus, mushrooms contain polysaccharides that support the immune system.
Mushrooms are also known for their strong antiviral and antibacterial properties and contain many essential nutrients.
To fight a cold, your best choices of mushrooms are white button, portobello, shiitake and maitake. You can add mushrooms in stir fry or salads or enjoy a warm bowl of mushroom soup.
6. YOGURT
There are more than 10 trillion bacteria living in our gastrointestinal tracts that are essential for our overall health. It’s important to ensure that the good bacteria outnumber the bad. You can do this by including probiotic food like yogurt in your regular diet.
Also, yogurt boosts your immune system to help your body naturally fight off infections like the common cold. For maximum health benefits, buy yogurt with “live and active cultures”.
Eating one-half cup of yogurt daily can reduce the incidence of common colds and other viral infections. You can add fruits or nuts to your yogurt to make it tastier and healthier.


7. SWEET POTATOES

Being rich in beta-carotene, sweet potatoes also play a key role in preventing common colds. When consumed, beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A, which is essential for maintaining a strong immune system and a well-functioning body.
Vitamin A also keeps the mucous membranes that line the nose and throat healthy and functioning properly. So if you do get a cold, symptoms will be mild and you will recover faster.


Eat one-half cup of boiled or roasted sweet potatoes on regular basis to improve your immune system and fight off common colds.
8. BRAZIL NUTS

These rich, creamy nuts are high in selenium, a mineral that improves the immune system and helps fight infections including common colds. Selenium also helps prevent cellular damage from free radicals by helping to form infection-fighting T-cells.
In addition, Brazil nuts contain minerals like zinc and iron as well as vitamin C that are essential for maintaining a strong immune system.
Just one or two Brazil nuts daily will provide your body with the required dose of selenium for preventing the common cold and flu.


9. PUMPKIN SEEDS

Pumpkin seeds are loaded with zinc, a mineral that plays a key role in fighting off common colds. Zinc boosts the immune system and has an antimicrobial effect, so it helps kill the viruses that cause common colds. Foods rich in zinc can also help cut down the duration of common cold symptoms.
You can eat roasted pumpkin seeds as a snack or include them in salads, soups, yogurt or other meals.


10. Red Bell Pepper

Red bell peppers are packed full of nutrients, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that play a key role in maintaining a healthy body and strong immune system. They are also rich in vitamin C that helps boost the immune system and prevent common colds.
Red peppers can be eaten raw, roasted, fried, grilled or steamed. Just one cup of a raw red bell pepper will be more than sufficient to fullfil your recommended daily intake of vitamin C.
Make these superfoods a part of your daily diet to give your body its best defense against common colds. Also, remember that the best prevention is washing your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water.
Cold viruses primarily spread when your hands pick up a virus from an infected person or an object where viruses are present like doorknobs, and then you touch your mouth, nose or eyes.
Plus, drink plenty of fluids to help loosen congestion and prevent dehydration. A good way to do this is to have hot chicken soup as it will speed up the movement of mucus and reduce congestion.

Top 10 Superfoods that Fight the Common Cold

No one is immune from the common cold. Some 200 viruses can cause common colds, with the rhinoviruses being the most widespread culprit.

This highly contagious viral infection primarily affects the upper part of the respiratory system including the nose and throat. It spreads mostly through coughing and sneezing.

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, roughly 1 billion people suffer from the common cold each year in the United States.

Symptoms of common colds include sore throat, stuffy nose, swelling of the sinuses, sneezing, coughing, slight fever and frequent headaches.

Also, the body often becomes weak leading to decreased productivity, missed work, missed school and other problems. These symptoms can last between two and 14 days. However, most people recover fully within 10 days.

There is no known cure. Measures to fight cold symptoms range from home remedies to over-the-counter medicines. Certain superfoods also can help fight as well as prevent common colds.

Here are the top 10 superfoods that fight the common cold.

1. GREEN TEA

Green tea is loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants as well as antiviral and antibacterial properties that help fight colds.

In particular, a group of antioxidants known as catechins have been shown to inhibit the activity of the common cold virus as well as certain influenza viruses. Also, green tea helps boost overall immunity and revives the metabolism rate.

Enjoy two or three cups of green tea daily to prevent or fight the common cold. You can add lemon and honey to enhance the taste, but avoid adding milk. When drinking the tea, try to inhale the steam also. It will help to reduce congestion and open up a blocked nose.

2. GARLIC

Garlic is well known for its strong antiviral and antibacterial properties and has been used for ages to fight the common cold and many of its symptoms. Plus, it contains allicin, a sulfuric compound that produces potent antioxidants and offers many medicinal benefits.

Also, garlic is one of best immune-boosting foods that help the body ward off and fight infections. A 2001 study published in the journal Advances in Therapy found that taking garlic supplements daily helps prevent colds.

• Eat one to two raw garlic cloves or add a few drops of garlic oil in your food and drinks regularly to prevent as well as fight common colds.
• If you have a cold, you can boil a few chopped garlic cloves in one cup of water. Remove from heat, and add one teaspoon of honey. Drink it two or three times a day until your cold is gone.

3. ORANGES

Oranges are full of vitamin C and can help deal with different types of viral infections, including the common cold. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps boost your immune system. It promotes the production of white blood cells that fight infections.

Drink one to two glasses of orange juice daily to prevent and fight infections and improve your immune system. Also, drinking orange juice will help keep your body well hydrated, which is very important for overall health.

4. BLUEBERRIES

A compound called quercetin present in blueberries can help reduce the likelihood of getting a cold. Also, blueberries are packed with various antioxidants and disease-fighting nutrients like vitamin C that boost your immune system and help your body fight infections.

Frozen and fresh blueberries have equal nutrition, so you can use either to fight common colds.

5. MUSHROOMS

In traditional Chinese medicine, mushrooms are often used to fight the common cold and other types of viral infections. Mushrooms increase the production of cytokines, which in turn help fight off infections. Plus, mushrooms contain polysaccharides that support the immune system.

Mushrooms are also known for their strong antiviral and antibacterial properties and contain many essential nutrients.

To fight a cold, your best choices of mushrooms are white button, portobello, shiitake and maitake. You can add mushrooms in stir fry or salads or enjoy a warm bowl of mushroom soup.

6. YOGURT

There are more than 10 trillion bacteria living in our gastrointestinal tracts that are essential for our overall health. It’s important to ensure that the good bacteria outnumber the bad. You can do this by including probiotic food like yogurt in your regular diet.

Also, yogurt boosts your immune system to help your body naturally fight off infections like the common cold. For maximum health benefits, buy yogurt with “live and active cultures”.

Eating one-half cup of yogurt daily can reduce the incidence of common colds and other viral infections. You can add fruits or nuts to your yogurt to make it tastier and healthier.

7. SWEET POTATOES

Being rich in beta-carotene, sweet potatoes also play a key role in preventing common colds. When consumed, beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A, which is essential for maintaining a strong immune system and a well-functioning body.

Vitamin A also keeps the mucous membranes that line the nose and throat healthy and functioning properly. So if you do get a cold, symptoms will be mild and you will recover faster.

Eat one-half cup of boiled or roasted sweet potatoes on regular basis to improve your immune system and fight off common colds.

8. BRAZIL NUTS

These rich, creamy nuts are high in selenium, a mineral that improves the immune system and helps fight infections including common colds. Selenium also helps prevent cellular damage from free radicals by helping to form infection-fighting T-cells.

In addition, Brazil nuts contain minerals like zinc and iron as well as vitamin C that are essential for maintaining a strong immune system.

Just one or two Brazil nuts daily will provide your body with the required dose of selenium for preventing the common cold and flu.

9. PUMPKIN SEEDS

Pumpkin seeds are loaded with zinc, a mineral that plays a key role in fighting off common colds. Zinc boosts the immune system and has an antimicrobial effect, so it helps kill the viruses that cause common colds. Foods rich in zinc can also help cut down the duration of common cold symptoms.

You can eat roasted pumpkin seeds as a snack or include them in salads, soups, yogurt or other meals.

10. Red Bell Pepper

Red bell peppers are packed full of nutrients, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that play a key role in maintaining a healthy body and strong immune system. They are also rich in vitamin C that helps boost the immune system and prevent common colds.

Red peppers can be eaten raw, roasted, fried, grilled or steamed. Just one cup of a raw red bell pepper will be more than sufficient to fullfil your recommended daily intake of vitamin C.

Make these superfoods a part of your daily diet to give your body its best defense against common colds. Also, remember that the best prevention is washing your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water.

Cold viruses primarily spread when your hands pick up a virus from an infected person or an object where viruses are present like doorknobs, and then you touch your mouth, nose or eyes.

Plus, drink plenty of fluids to help loosen congestion and prevent dehydration. A good way to do this is to have hot chicken soup as it will speed up the movement of mucus and reduce congestion.

 

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Sexuality

Relationships

Envision a ripe, juicy apricot. It beckons from the kitchen counter—full, sweet, and ready to be enjoyed. Now think about a bag of dried apricots. They’re in the pantry, for use . . . whenever. Our sexuality should be like the fresh apricot: a nourishing and urgent part of our lives. Yet many of us struggle to feel desire, or we lack the energy to act on it.

“My mom confided in me that she only had sex when she went on vacation,” says Brigitte Mars, a herbalist and nutritional consultant based in Boulder, Colorado. “And I said, ‘But, Mom, you only go on vacation once a year!’” Luckily for Mom (and Dad!), Mars is the author of The Sexual Herbal and offered to make meals that contained a lot of cinnamon. The results? “After a week, she winked at me.”

“Cinnamon, consistently eaten, keeps you ‘user ready,’” explains Brian Clement. He and his wife, Anna Maria, both naturopaths and nutritionists, are the authors of 7 Keys to Lifelong Sexual Vitality . “It’s the biggest question we hear: How can I get my libido back?” says Anna Maria Clement. That’s a question worth pursuing, she says. “Sexual satisfaction is a major contributor to the quality of life.”

The right foods can support desire, but if you’re envisioning oysters, think again: Foods for sexual vitality are different from aphrodisiacs, says Mars. “You want to tone the whole body. It’s not, What can I do for tonight? but, rather, having extra energy for sex.” Here are the powerhouse foods that will fan your desire: 

Nuts and seeds , especially sesame, chia, sunflower, hemp, and pumpkin. “Raw nuts and seeds have a lot of life force,” says Mars, who suggests soaking chia seeds overnight and having them for breakfast with blueberries, nuts, and honey.

Grains, beans, and squash . “The best way to eat squash is raw,” says Brian Clement. “Grate it up and add it to salads or dips.”

Turmeric, lemon, and cayenne , which support healthy circulation. “Some of the smallest capillaries in the body go down to the penis and vaginal areas,” Clement says. “Blood flow is necessary for full arousal,” agrees Laurie Steelsmith, a Honolulu-based naturopathic physician and the author of Great Sex, Naturally .

Cruciferous vegetables, acai, mangosteen, and berries . These support liver health, which is also vital to good circulation, says Steelsmith.

Cardamom, garlic, and ginger . “You want to warm your body up, not cool your jets,” says Mars. “Make your food healthy and exciting.”

Maca. This root is associated with stabilizing hormones, says Elyse Clark, a raw vegan chef and educator from Deer Park, New York. She uses maca powder, beets, and Brazil nuts to make raw-food truffles.

Dark chocolate . It contains L-arginine (a vasodilator) and phenylethylamine, which makes you feel happy, Steelsmith says. Skip the chocolate bar, with its added sugar and fat. Instead, buy cocoa powder and add it to your smoothies.

Root vegetables . “Roots are said to energize your lower chakras,” says Mars. Try burdock root, carrots, and beets.

Avoid fatty foods and alcohol , which will make you sluggish, and coffee, which Steelsmith says lowers testosterone in both men and women.

Overall, focus on fresh, unprocessed foods. “When you eat cleaner, you function more optimally,” says Clark. “Even your response to human touch will change—you can get aroused by simpler things. Your body is getting the message more clearly.”

Hungry for more? Click here for recipes to boost your sexual vitality (Maca Brazil Truffles, anyone?)