Flu season is upon us, and with the cold comes sickness. Although flu season doesn’t necessarily mean you will get sick for sure, the chances are higher than average & it pays to be mindful of any symptoms regarding the flu. The most common symptoms for the flu include a fever and/or feeling feverish chills, manic coughing, a runny/stuffy nose, muscle & headaches as well as general fatigue. Thanks to most of these symptoms being surface level, it is relatively easy to deduce whether one has the flu early on or not.

That said, you can also help alleviate or prevent your sickness altogether by merely consuming some healthy, simple superfoods. Here’s a tidy little list of some that will work wonders:

1. Ginger

Ginger has an extensive history of being used as a remedy for colds. To start with, the herb has medical properties capable of reducing inflammation and soothing a particularly sore throat. When fresh, ginger is also highly anti-bacterial and can be used to ward off the cold to begin with.

2. Citrus

Probably contrary to intuitive belief, citrus fruits also have some helpful properties for combating the cold. The white layer of skin, in particular, contains flavonoids that aid in boosting your immune system and speeding up your recovery.

3. Lemons

Lemons are another food that is particularly effective at combating the cold and flu. This is due to the fact that Lemons are especially high in Vitamin C, providing about half of our daily intake in one unit. Vitamin C is crucial to the strength of our immune system, and lemon juice can also be used in combination with warm water in order to significantly alleviate congestion.

4. Chicken soup

This is a more obvious meal for fighting colds and the flu, having been a go-to remedy for illness in America now for decades. Chicken Soup can help clear out nasal congestion due to its steam and warm temperature, and this also aids in the thinning of mucus within your nasal cavity; helping you blow it all out. In addition to this, new research has begun revealing that chicken soup contains anti-inflammatory properties as well.

5. Garlic

Last but not least of the superfoods listed here, is garlic. Garlic contains numerous properties that make it highly beneficial to health overall, but we’ll just narrow down on those that aid in protecting against the flu. Whole garlic contains a chemical known as Alliin, which is then transformed into the chemical known as Allicin upon chewing. Allicin is unstable though, and as such converts itself into other sulfur containing compounds; it is these compounds which then boost and strengthen your immune system against germs and bacteria, protecting you from the flu.

In closing, we hope that we’ve enlightened you on the ways in which you can look out for the cold & flu, as well as protect and fight against it. Come flu season, you should be able to take on the weather like a bear in the thick of winter.