It is advisable to have plenty of fluids that can flush the toxins from your body. The ideal liquids for this are fresh fruit juice and water. Avoid coffee and tea as they are having diuretic (fluid eliminating) properties.
It is better to avoid dairy products and milk products. Some research shows that some compounds in milk triggers the release of the histamine which is the chemical responsible for the congestion in chest, nose, and sinus. Alcoholic drinks are to be avoided as they come under dehydrators. They deplete the body of vitamin C and puts extra burden on the liver that has to work extra hard to eliminate the toxins during the illness.
Avoidance of high-fat and indigestible foods such as red meat, pastries and cheese are to be restricted. The balanced diet is very much important and to be followed. Vitamins like vitamin B complex, vitamin C, minerals and other nutrients are good to have. Some agree with consuming the grapefruit as it is high in vitamin C and also detoxify the liver. One has to be very careful taking grapefruit as it may interact with many other medicines like psychiatric medicines, cholesterol lowering drugs, antihistamines etc.
Vitamin C is another wonder element that fights against the cold. Nobel laureate Linus Pauling had supported Vitamin C for the common cold in the year of 1970. However there are many people who deny the role of Vitamin C fighting against the cold. Whatever the elements or vitamins, they are to be taken in perfect dose and one should not exceed it by any means.
The chicken soup is well known as “Jewish penicillin” has been a mainstay of common medicines for more than 500 years, ever since the Egyptian physician Moses Maimonides suggested that as cold remedy. One thought is it is not the chicken that works against the cold, but they are the vegetables which fight against the cold. Hot vegetable soups are indeed good for the cold. One can include the herbal tea containing ginger, tulasi (holy basil), lemon etc.
There is another belief that mushrooms fight against the cold as they boost the immune system of the human body. One should have some spicy and hot food as any spicy food that makes your eyes watery will surely have the same effect on the nose. This will promote drainage. So in stuffy and congestion this is preferred for sometimes.
Vitamin A is very good as it is vital to the mucous membranes to the entire respiratory system during the cold or flu. This can be supplied by beta carotene, the precursor of vitamin A.
Vegetable soups are considered to be best as we saw, add some spice like black pepper. Try to include garlic, ginger, clove etc in your diet. Herbal decoction of Indian herb Inula racemosa gives relief. Replace chicken soup instead of whole non-vegetarian diet. One can have lemon squeezed in lukewarm water with a pinch of salt, one or two black pepper and little bit ginger.
Try to avoid sweets and items which are heavy to digest like ghee, oily and spicy food. One should not go for bananas, chickoo and mangoes.
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