10 Foods To Fight Cold In The Rains

By Pooja Kaushal

Monday, September 15, 2014, 19:03 [IST]

Colds and coughs are common illnesses during monsoon. Be it children or adults, all are affected by the change in weather. In such conditions, the best course to take would be to work towards prevention of illnesses. One of the primary things to do would be to look for ways to fight cold, the main culprit in these monsoon months.

Colds and coughs are very common diseases that affect people. No wonder, it is known as the common cold. However, if not taken care, common cold can get aggravated and cause further complications.

The idea is to either prevent it or nip it in the bud. Food plays an important part in one’s wellness and hence, foods to fight colds should be made an integral part of daily diet.

Ideally, if one follows a healthy diet and lifestyle, many diseases can be taken care of. However, having that ‘ideal’ diet is becoming more of a thing in books than in practice. Our traditional methods of cooking are undergoing changes and the effects can be seen in multiple ways. It is time we looked back to grandma’s cookbook.

When you go looking for ways to fight cold, do give due consideration to the following foods:

Turmeric

Turmeric has been an integral part of Indian cooking since ages. And this is not without reason. This magical root is an excellent antiseptic and rich in volatile oils. Include it in all food preparations to gain its benefits on a daily basis. If you do have a scratchy throat, either have turmeric milk or turmeric tea.

Tulsi

Almost every Indian home has a tulsi plant. Among its many benefits, tulsi is effective in preventing and curing common cold. It helps modulate the immune system and expels phlegm. Its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties are helpful in beating infections of the respiratory system.

Ginger

This is another wonder food. As a preventive measure, add ginger in grated form or paste to everyday vegetables. Not only does it give a tangy taste, but it also helps fight the cold. Boil it in your tea water and enjoy the benefits of ginger flavoured tea. It soothes the throat and chases away viruses responsible for colds.

Honey

Honey in its pure form has innumerable benefits. It qualifies as one of the foods to fight cold. It has antiseptic, antioxidant and antibacterial properties that help fight viruses, bacteria and fungi.

Pepper

It can be hot and fiery and may make you sneeze pretty badly. At the same time, consuming oils from pepper can bring about great relief as it contains piperine, a compound effective in relieving fever and pain.

Citrus

Be it an orange, lemon or tangerine, all citrus fruits are packed with vitamin C, a vitamin that plays a primary role in preventing colds.

Garlic

Research shows that regular consumption of garlic keeps colds at bay. In fact, this pungent smelling bulb is packed with an exceptionally large amount of antioxidants to make it as one of the super foods to fight colds. It can be eaten raw, but the smell often discourages people from doing so. Instead, you can add it in various dishes while cooking.

Red wine

Haven't we known red wine to be good for the heart? Well, its benefits don't stop there. Red wine is one of the best ways to fight cold too. When taken regularly, it can prevent cold and flu viruses from multiplying in the body.

Kiwi

Did you say citruses are a storehouse of vitamin C? Think again. The amount of Vitamin C found in the kiwi is much higher than in the citruses. This makes kiwi as one of the excellent foods to fight cold.