Foods That Heal (Fight the Flu & Colds)

Chicken soup

There’s a reason your grandma always had a bowl of this at the first sign of sniffles. Not only does chicken soup provide the fluids you need to help fight off viruses, but it also reduces inflammation that triggers symptoms and leads to more colds. In addition, the added protein boosts cell growth.

Citrus— especially lemons.

When life hands you lemons, make lemon water and lemon tea! Lemons are one of the few fruits in the citrus family that actually improves the production of white blood cells which fight free radicals. In addition, they are anti-bacterial which will help fight off any bacteria growth.

Vitamin C is your Bestie!

Vitamin C, most commonly found in citrus fruits, is an antioxidant that can reduce cold symptoms by 23 percent, studies have found. A review of 21 studies found that just 1 to 8 grams (1,000 to 8,000 milligrams) of the vitamin will do the trick, which you can get from supplements or from citrus fruits, that include red bell peppers, broccoli, brussels sprouts, butternut squash, papaya, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes.

Garlic, onions, and leeks

Want to know how to scare off a vampire and the flu? Add this! Add plenty of garlic and onions to your meals and soups. Combined, they contain dozens of broad-spectrum antiseptic and immunity-boosting compounds.

Amino Acids to the rescue!

Amino Acids Strengthen the Immune System! While Vitamin C and Zinc usually steel show as the major supporters of a healthy immune system. The importance of amino acids in immune health was not understood until the last twenty years or so. This explains why knowledge regarding the immune functions of amino acids is groundbreaking. Amino Acids help protect cells from oxidative stress and contributes to the protection of nerve cells. What this means is that you are literally fighting the flu or a cold from a cellular level.