It’s happening. All around you, people are sneezing, coughing, and slathering their germs on each and every surface they touch. Maybe that’s a tad dramatic, but I’ll claim the lack of oxygen due to a stuffy nose as my excuse…
 
We are in the midst of cold season, my friends!
 
But did you know you can eat your way to better health? There are many natural cold remedies and symptom-relievers that you probably have right in your very pantry! Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it, eating your way to good health?!



 
1.Chicken Noodle Soup

Not just something your grandma force-fed you, chicken noodle soup is actually a great choice when you come down with a cold. The heat and steam of hot soup alone is beneficial. But the individual ingredients — chicken, and often veggies — might have inflammatory properties. The extract of chicken can block neutrophil activity (white blood cells that create mucus), thus making it easier to breathe!

2. Spicy Foods

Capsaicin, the active component of chili peppers (the thing that makes them spicy!), can thin mucus, which makes it easier to clear your nose. Just be careful not to overdo it and render your tongue as useless as your nose and throat!

3. Vitamin C

Vitamin C can come from so many more foods than just oranges. Red peppers, strawberries, and even broccolli are all rich in vitamin C! It’s an immunity and antioxidant booster that some studies say significantly reduces your cold symptoms, and can even reduce the length of the cold.

4. Garlic

Garlic contains allicin, an oily substance, which has been found to block enzymes that function in colds and viral infections. Studies have found that those who took garlic supplements (yes, such a thing exists!) came down with significantly fewer colds than those who didn’t. So try supplements, or even just throw some extra cloves into your dinner. It might just make a difference!

5. Ginger

Like spicy food, ginger helps to thin all the mucus trapped in your nose and throat. It’s a perfectly safe decongestant and has no side affects, so it’s lauded as a great all-natural cold symptom relief.

6. Lean Meats

Lean meats contain both iron and zinc, which are great for keeping a healthy immune system. Although studies are somewhat inconsistent, they have shown that zinc, especially, is good at reducing the longevity and strength of cold symptoms. 

Any other cold remedies you Lovelies swear by?