Fight flu with the right food

Influenza or flu, is a respiratory tract infection caused by a variety of flu viruses with symptoms such as fatigue, fever or headaches. Instead of turning to endless pills, it’s better to try natural remedies that enhance our immune system. A few tips to strengthen one’s immune system: Fluids: Have plenty of warm water, soups, juices and watery broths to flush toxic by-products out of the body as quickly and efficiently as possible. Avoid drinks with diuretic (fluideliminating) properties, such as tea, coffee, alcohol and carbonated beverages. Vitamin C: It is wellknown for treating and preventing colds by boosting our immunity. Include fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C such as oranges, gooseberries, sweet lime, broccoli, pineapple, cabbage, cauliflower, and sweet potato in the diet. Garlic: It helps fight bacteria and virus. On testing the blood of those who ate about 15 cloves a day, it was found that their blood contained more potent T-lymphocytes and macrophages, (which increase natural killers activity and increase immunity) than nongarlic eaters. Eat four to five cloves of raw garlic every day. Honey: It is full of antioxidants and has long been used to help treat sore throats and other bacterial infections. It also can assist in the growth of friendly bacteria in the intestine and thus improves digestive health. It’s advisable to have a tablespoon of honey with warm water or as a sugar substitute in your drinks. Ginger: It contains a natural plant compound called gingerol that can help fight off infections and flu. You can have ginger as tea, or as fresh juice, with honey and warm water. Radish: It is an excellent remedy for thinning down mucous, clearing sinuses, blocked nose, mucousrelated migraines, etc. Raw radish juice helps to thin down mucous, to reduce phlegm and to ease sore throat, usually associated with flu. Zinc: Foods rich in zinc have been found to improve immunity levels. These are wholegrain cereals such as bajra, jowar, wheat bran, wheatgerm, all shellfish, most lentils, skimmed milk, peanuts, pumpkin and watermelon seeds, spinach, etc. Spices: Any food that is spicy enough to make your eyes water will have the same effect on your nose, promoting release of mucus and breaking up of congestion. Taking a bowl of chilli or other spicy foods containing hot pepper sauce, ginger, cloves, hot mustard or garam masala helps.