What to eat and what not to eat when you have a cold
Certain foods can combat the common cold. Here's what you can munch on to feel better
POLOKWANE – The common cold is an upper respiratory tract infection caused by many different viruses.
The common cold is a self-limited disease that can generally be managed at home. The common cold has no cure, and there is no available vaccine.
You might also want to read: Combat the common cold this winter with these tips
You can feel better by munching on the following
Avoid all sweets: Sugar depress the immune system, limiting its ability to kill bacteria and viruses.
- In addition, blood sugar and Vitamin C compete for entry into white blood cells, all fruit juices, except orange juice, which should be avoided or should be diluted with at least equal parts of water.
Vegetable juices are more beneficial than fruit juices. Increase consumption of green juice that is high in Vitamin C.
Make homemade vegetable soups and broths: 2-3 garlic cloves, 1 kale leaf, 1 large tomato, 2 stalks celery, 1 collard leaf, chopped an 1 tbsp croutons.
Roll garlic in kale leaf, and push trough hopper with tomato and celery.
Place juice in saucepan, and gently heat. Garnish with croutons. Drink herbal teas, especially ginger, paud’arco, slippery elm, and Echinacea.
Consume generous amounts of cayenne pepper, watercress, onions, and garlic.
- A folk remedy calls for chopping one garlic clove into tiny pieces and swallowing the garlic with a glass of water before bedtime.
Take acidophilus or megadophilus to replace ‘friendly’ intestinal bacteria.
Nutrients that help:
Betha-carotene that supports immune function and heals the epithelial tissues that line the respiratory tract. Beneficial juice includes carrots, kale, parsley and spinach.
Vitamin C Has antiviral and antibacterial action.
This nutrient can shorten the course of the common cold and has proven beneficial in prevention.
Beneficial juice include kale, parsley, green pepper and watercress
Bioflavonoid act synergistically with vitamin C and have antibacterial action as well. Beneficial juice includes tomato, parsley, apricot and lemon.
Zinc has antiviral activity. Beneficial juice includes ginger root, parsley, garlic and carrot.
Lizel Britz 072 243 7707.
