Healthy Winter Foods to keep Winter Ailments at bay

How to Prevent Common Winter Ailments with Natural Remedies?

Along with the propensity for dry skin in most people, there are certain bigger health risks that winters usually bring in its wake. The common cold, influenza, pneumonia, and norovirus are some of the most common health ailments experienced by the majority of people during the winter months. The norovirus is considered quite active during cold weather and it can be transmitted either by contact or through contaminated food. It affects the gastrointestinal tract. Similarly, influenza and the common cold are equally contagious winter ailments that affect the respiratory system. Pneumonia too has similar symptoms but is accompanied by fever as well. However, consuming a healthy diet can help you keep these winter ailments at bay.

The Cause of these Common Winter Ailments

The common cold, influenza, and pneumonia are both caused by contact with contaminated surfaces or coming in direct contact with people who have the infection. The common cold is usually caused by the Rhinovirus while influenza is caused by the Influenza virus. Pneumonia is however not restricted to any single bacterial or viral cause and can be caused by bacteria like Streptococcus pneumonia, Mycoplasma pneumonia, and even the Novel Coronavirus.

How to Prevent these Common Winter Ailments?

Some readily available seasonal winter foods help keep such winter ailments at bay. They can be different types of fruits, vegetables, spices, or even herbs. Here’s a list of the essential healthy food that you should consume during winters to prevent winter ailments:

• Vitamin C and B12

Oranges and red bell peppers are some of the most commonly available fruits and vegetables that you should eat during the winters to boost your levels of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is the lifeline of your immune system, and having a powerful immune system can go a long way at keeping winter ailments at bay. Moreover, foods like eggs, dairy products, and meat provide the body with much needed Vitamin B12 that complements Vitamin C in boosting the body’s immune system.

• Antioxidants

Consuming healthy amounts of green tea can be greatly beneficial during the winter since it contains antioxidants that help to combat free radicals within your body. It is also known for being a great immunity booster, especially during winter months. Sweet potatoes can also do a similar job.

• Seafood

Consuming good amounts of seafood like salmon and oysters during winters can increase the number of T-cells in your immune system that are responsible for fighting off infections like the common cold and influenza. Moreover, seafood also gives you the necessary Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin D which are also deemed necessary for boosting the immune system during winters. Seafood also contains useful minerals like Magnesium, Phosphorous, Zinc, and Calcium that are further boosters for your immunity system during winters.

• Keep Warm

Cooking with the right kind of oil and eating lots of dried fruits and nuts like almonds can help keep the body warm during winters. Keeping warm becomes so important during winters because the common winter ailments like influenza, common cold, and pneumonia are more likely to attack when the body is cold. Consuming red meat and other types of meat, cinnamon, and garlic can also serve the same purpose.

When to Visit a Doctor?

Since most of these winter ailments can be prevented by consuming the types of food mentioned above, such an illness rarely requires the professional intervention of a doctor. The common cold and influenza are so common that they usually resolve themselves within a week or two. However, pneumonia and norovirus can be more taxing and expert medical advice is needed in many cases. In case your chest and nasal congestions or even fever develop to extreme levels, it is advisable to seek instant medical consultation using the E-consultancy services of MediBuddy.

Conclusion

By consuming readily available seasonal vegetable produce and some extra meats and nuts that keep your body warm, you can acquire the necessary nutrients needed by your body to combat the most common winter ailments. Seasonal produce is stressed upon so much because they help you boost your immunity levels during the winter months. [av_promobox button='yes' label='Consult Now ' link='https://www.medibuddy.in/?utm_source=blog_cta&utm_medium=blog' link_target='' color='blue' custom_bg='#f00' custom_font='#ffffff' size='large' icon_select='no' icon='ue800' font='entypo-fontello']For more information, you can always talk to a doctor online on MediBuddy.[/av_promobox]