7 Foods to Fight Off Cold & Cough

We all get the occasional cold and cough especially when you work in a school or office where others around you are sick. The question is, what are the things you can do to fight it off? It starts with food. A weakened immune system is what protects you from a whole host of infections like cold and cough, skin infections and respiratory ailments. There are 7 immune-strengthening foods that you should eat an abundance of during peak cough and cold times throughout the year. Here you go. 

Oranges, lemons and guavas: The power nutrient here is vitamin C which plays an important role as a natural antioxidant in the body. It also helps white blood cells perform their function of responding quickly to infections. 

Carrots, red pumpkins, papayas: All orange, yellow red fruits and vegetables are rich sources of beta carotene that is known to have immune-protective action. By acting on different components of the immune system, beta carotene helps the body fend off infection quite effectively. 

Garlic: Garlic helps fight against bacterial and viral infections as well as its anti-inflammatory properties help to have a protective shield against heart disease, and high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. 

 Flaxseeds: These little gems contain alpha-linolenic acid, omega-3 fatty acids and phytoestrogens called lignans which all help modulate the response of the immune system. They can help keep autoimmune diseases away as well as infections. 

Turmeric: Vitamin B6 is the power nutrient here as well as other minerals such as potassium, manganese and iron which play an important role in different body systems. 

Almonds: Hello, vitamin E! This affects the immune system's ability to fight infections. Chew on a handful of almonds. 

Crabs, oysters and red meat: Zinc is one of the essential mineral your body needs. Zinc helps white blood cells perform their protective action against infections. Vegetarians can be at risk for zinc deficiency. Talk to your doctor about the possible need for supplements. 

Green leafy veggies: Rich sources of folic acid which is important in the overall function of the immune system. Studies have found that people with deficiency of folic acid are unable to secrete necessary quantities of antibodies that have infection fighting properties.