As fall and winter approach, we reluctantly prepare for cold and flu season. If you hear sniffles coming from your roommates, kids, or co-workers, it is time to start helping your body resist! One way to do this is through increasing your intake of antioxidants. Antioxidants are helpful in fighting against sickness, because they neutralize free radicals (which are damaging to cells) through donating an electron. Below is a list of antioxidant-filled foods to fight a cold.
Sulfur-rich foods.
Eating foods that contain high levels of sulfur support your body’s production of glutathione. Glutathione is an antioxidant that helps you detox. Sulfur-rich foods that support glutathione production include asparagus, spinach, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, garlic, and onions.
Vitamin C.
On a similar note, Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps support your body’s production of glutathione. If you have ever gone shopping for orange juice after you feel the sniffles coming on, there is a method to your madness. Just be careful with orange juice if you have a sore throat – the acidity can be irritating. If I do not want to guzzle down orange juice, I take a Vitamin C supplement to get my fix.
Selenium-rich foods.
You are going to sense a theme here when I tell you that selenium is critical to glutathione production. Look to protein sources including meat, fish, nuts, and eggs for high levels of this antioxidant.
Green tea.
Anyone who knows me knows that green tea is the cure-all I turn to for anything. Hungover? Green tea. Run down? Green tea. Eaten too much junk food? Green tea. Feel a cold coming on? Green tea. The reason why green tea is my “cure-all” is because it is FILLED with antioxidants that reduce inflammation and neutralize those pesky free radicals. Plus, a nice hot tea is super cozy and comforting to your body!
While there are many different ways that you can try fighting against sickness, I hope that this list of antioxidant-filled options gives you some ideas. If you want to learn more about how antioxidants work within your body, here is an article by Harvard Medical School with more information. Stay healthy!