Five Foods That Fight a Cold

Achoo! Fighting a cold is no fun, and the cure for this common malady remains to be discovered. Still, there are natural ways to ease pesky cold symptoms. How? By changing what you eat. Discover five foods to eat when you have a cold and start feeling better faster.

Fight a Cold with Mushrooms

Mushrooms may not be the first food that comes to mind when you plan your cold recovery diet, but it should be. Mushrooms are rich in beta-glucan, a carbohydrate that gives your immune system a boost. Research shows beta-glucan’s potential to fight infection. According to a study published in the Archives of Surgery, beta-glucan reduced the risk of infection after surgery, thanks to its ability to boost immunity. Add mushrooms to an omelet, or sautee them lightly in butter or olive oil to get their benefits. No need to buy medicinal mushrooms; the common button mushroom works too.

Cold-Fighting Foods: White Tea

White tea contains natural chemicals that help fight cold viruses, bacteria, and fungi. In fact, it beats its healthy cousin green tea in the infection-fighting department. One small study carried out at Pace University showed that a white tea extract can even shorten the duration of a cold. This warm, fragrant brew will also help to open up stuffy nasal passages. Put the tea kettle on the stove, and start sipping.

Yogurt

When you feel the sniffles coming on, head to the grocery store, and pick up some yogurt with active bacterial cultures. The probiotic bacteria in these cultures will keep your immune system primed to fight nasty cold viruses. In fact, eating yogurt may reduce the risk of getting sick in the first place. According to a study in USA Today, subjects who ate ¾ of a cup of yogurt daily had 25% fewer colds. Add some berries to your yogurt, and you’ll get even more disease-fighting antioxidants.

Soup

Soup is a comfort food and a cold-fighting one too, especially chicken noodle soup. Studies show that chicken noodle soup, like grandma used to make, has anti-inflammatory benefits, which helps reduce sinus stuffiness. Miso soup is a good choice too. Like yogurt, it contains natural probiotic bacteria that boost immunity.

Cold-Fighting Foods: Spices

Spice up your food with a little garlic and chili peppers. Garlic contains sulfur compounds that help keep bacteria and viruses from gaining a foothold. In one small study, subjects who took a garlic supplement for three months got fewer colds, and when they did, they didn’t last as long.

How about chili peppers? They may not cure your cold, but they’ll open up your sinuses and ease nasal stuffiness. Enjoy their heat.

The Bottom Line?

There may not be a pill to cure your cold, but relief could be as close as your refrigerator and kitchen cabinet. Add these cold-fighting foods to your diet – and feel better faster.

 

References:

Archives of Surgery. 129 (11): 1204.1210.
Science Daily. “White Tea Beats Green Tea in Fighting Germs”
University of Nebraska Medical Center. “Got a cold or flu? Try chicken soup to ease symptoms”

 

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