Combating the Cold & Flu from the Kitchen

Experts have labeled this “winter bug” outbreak a nationwide epidemic, as 47 states are reporting “widespread activity.” This means hundreds of thousands Americans are taking an over-the-counter medicine and hoping for the best. What many don’t know is that some of the strongest remedies to soothe and rejuvenate the body during a cold/flu are found within the proper foods, made right in your own kitchen.
 
Below are just a few of the remedy suggestions:

•         Yogurt/Kefir- Yogurt can be delicious layered with fruit in a parfait or as a cooling side for a dish of spicy food, but it also packs a healthy dose of good bacteria that can protect the body against harmful bacteria and infections.

·         Turmeric- a 2008 study published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications found that curcumin prevents some immune cells from responding to stimulants and so has modulating and anti-inflammatory effects.

·         Garlic - Garlic may be the wunderkind of the plant world, its properties ranging from medicinal to mystical to culinary.

·         Green Tea - Tea is rich in polyphenols -- plant antioxidants -- as well as a number of other chemicals that can help protect the body against cold or flu.

·         Pumpkins - Pumpkins are good for more than a lighted jack-o-lantern on the front porch. Their rich, orange flesh is packed with beta carotene, a nutrient that the body breaks down to make vitamin A.

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