Punctually, arrives the flu. To avoid being caught unprepared, need to put in place flu prevention strategies. To avoid finding yourself in bed with a fever, cold, headaches, coughs and sore throats, you have to get ready early, but how? Advice from your grandma to wear a wool sweater may work but nutrition also plays a part.
Flu prevention: vitamins and minerals
When approaching the winter months and temperatures begin to drop, we need to try to introduce nutrients into the diet that increase the body's immune system. Vitamins, in particular vitamin C, iron and zinc are essential to avoid being knocked out by influenza. They stimulate the production of antibodies and fight viruses and bacteria that carry flu.
Flu prevention: 5 portions of fruit and vegetables
In order to get the vitamins iron and zinc, you need to eat fruit and vegetables because these are the foods that contain the most. Better if fresh and trying to choose those in season, fruit and vegetables should be eaten five times a day, following the rule that all nutritionists always recommend.
Flu prevention: what to eat
Basically, this is what is recommended you eat to help your body increase its immune defenses and prevent viruses and bacteria from finding fertile ground. Inevitable are citrus fruits, oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, which are among the foods richest in vitamin C helping the immune system and promoting the absorption of iron, which in turn strengthens the defenses against colds, coughs and sore throats. Also useful are currants and grapes, which provide energy and are useful when the body is weakened and can be more easily prey to viruses and bacteria. At the table carrots should never be absent either, because they contain carotenoids which play a role in maintaining immune system. Bacteria in the intestinal flora also stimulate the immune system as well as microorganisms favored by the substances present in artichokes and leeks. In moments of fatigue, eating lettuce is a good solution too because it contains vitamins, especially A and C, and mineral salts which the body uses as a restorative source. A natural ally to prevent the flu, although not loved by everyone, is the onion: it’s rich in flavonoids that counteract the action of bacteria. It contains acetylsalicylic acid, one of the active ingredients of aspirin or turmeric, a spice that has many properties including that of preventing typical cold symptoms.