We’ve all been told “chicken soup” when we’re under the weather, but there are other foods that are known to help your immune system fight off those nasty cold and flu bugs, too.
Garlic — Garlic contains allicin which is said to be the ingredient in garlic that’s responsible for its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Research studies have reported that people taking garlic supplements have fewer and less severe colds than those taking placebos. Garlic is also said to promote healthy gut flora which helps the body to rid itself of toxins, bacteria, and viruses.
Beef — Beef is said to boost the immune system. Beef is a good source of zinc, and zinc is important to the body’s development of white blood cells that help defend the body against unfriendly intruders. People with zinc deficiencies have been found to have decreased immune function and response. Additionally, the protein in beef supports the body in building antibodies and fighting off infection.
Sweet Potatoes — Though sweet potatoes aren’t usually on one’s list of traditional cold-fighting foods, they’re an excellent source of Vitamin A, which has an important role in maintaining the health of your mucosal surfaces — including those inside your nose, your gastrointestinal tract, and skin.
Most of us don’t think of our skin as a part of our immune system but it’s actually your body’s first line of defense against infections, as it keeps infections from entering your body.
Turmeric — Turmeric seems to have risen to an almost “super food status”, given all the studies that have found so many benefits from it. Turmeric is high in antioxidants and has such well established anti-inflammatory properties it’s no wonder it’s helpful to the body in many ways. Studies have found people who consume turmeric are less susceptible to colds, coughs and congestion.
Researchers have concluded that most of the benefits from turmeric result from the Curcumin in it. So if you don’t have a taste for turmeric, or can’t eat enough of it to be helpful, Curcumin supplements may do.
Dark Leafy Greens — It’s usually citrus fruits we think of for Vitamin C and in this context, for Vitamin C’s reputation for fighting colds. But dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, Swiss chard and arugula, are also very good sources of Vitamin C.
Studies have found regularly taking in sufficient Vitamin C can reduce a cold’s length.
Wild Salmon — With shorter days (and hours of sunlight) in the fall and winter, our Vitamin D levels fall. Vitamin D is said to be critical for the body to fend off colds and flu, so it’s important to eat foods that provide it. Wild Salmon is one such food.
Research has found people with healthy levels of Vitamin D suffer fewer respiratory tract infections compared to people who are deficient in Vitamin D. Those with good levels of Vitamin D also felt better faster after getting sick.
And, yes, Chicken Soup! — It’s true– you should eat chicken soup when you’re sick. The warm broth soothes most sore throats, and helps hydrate you. Also hot liquids like soup help loosen mucus secretions, to help speed recovery.
Willard’s Water — All these discussions of foods and the nutrients in them that are helpful in fighting colds and flu, reminds us we should remind you, to “wash down” your food, and food supplements with Willard’s Water because of its well-established ability to help the body break down & absorb nutrients into the cells better. As an example of WW’s abilities in that regard, Curcumin which is the key ingredient in turmeric believed to provide the majority of its benefits, is extremely difficult for the body to break down and absorb. So a study put Willard’s Water to the test of its abilities to do so by testing it on Curcumin. It found that Willard’s Water works better at breaking them down than the previously best known substance for doing so. The researchers found Willard’s Water's nutrient-absorption-boosting effect seems to work hardest and best on the hardest to absorb compounds, including curcumin.
Bottom line: WW seems to be the ultimate team player in working with both foods and supplements, given the validation of its superior abilities in boosting the absorption of those nutrients. One reason lots of people will never drop WW from their routines is because it helps them get all the good they can from food & supplements. Many of them reduced the amount of supplements they take with WW and the supplements worked as well at lower doses when taken with Willard’s Water.