Foods that help increase resistance to cold days

To protect your health and improve resistance in the upcoming cold season, Kieu Xuan Thy, MSc.B.C.CK2, Deputy Head of Facility 3, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, advises eating a balanced diet and living a healthy, nutritious lifestyle. Supplement “golden” foods.

Ginger – a medicine that dispels cold and neutralizes heat

Ginger has long been known as a medicine with the ability to keep the body warm and reduce coughs. Ginger is spicy and warm, helps increase blood circulation and stimulates the digestive system, very suitable for use during the cold season.

A warm cup of ginger tea is the ideal choice on cold days. You can use fresh ginger or grilled ginger. Just cut a few slices of fresh ginger, steep with hot water and add a little honey to enhance the flavor. In addition, ginger can be used in porridge or soup to keep the body warm, especially suitable for people with cold constitutions.

Garlic – natural antibiotic

Garlic has a spicy taste and warm properties, and has outstanding antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, helping to protect the body from infectious diseases. Traditional medicine views garlic as a “natural antibiotic” with the ability to strengthen the immune system and prevent colds and flu.

Garlic can be eaten fresh, crushed and mixed with warm water or used as a spice in dishes. Adding garlic to soups also helps increase disease prevention.

Honey – nourishes the lungs, soothes the throat

Honey has a sweet taste, neutral properties, nourishes the lungs, soothes the throat and is anti-inflammatory. This is a food that helps strengthen the immune system, protect the respiratory tract from pathogens, and is very useful during the cold season.

Mix a spoonful of honey with warm water and drink it in the morning or evening to help nourish the lungs and increase resistance. Combining honey with ginger or lemon will create a drink that helps keep the body warm and soothes the throat.

Shiitake mushrooms – a valuable source of nutrients

Shiitake mushrooms are not only a popular ingredient in cuisine but also a nutritious medicinal herb in traditional medicine, helping to replenish qi and benefit the lungs. Mushrooms contain many polysaccharides that can stimulate immune cells and increase resistance.

Shiitake mushrooms can be cooked in soup or stir-fried, and are especially delicious when cooked with chicken or meat. A bowl of shiitake mushroom soup is not only nutritious but also helps the body fight disease.

Red apple – nourishes the qi and strengthens the spleen

Red apple is a familiar medicinal herb in oriental medicine. It has a sweet taste, warm properties, nourishes the qi, strengthens the spleen, helps improve digestive health and strengthens resistance. This is a great choice for people who easily get tired and have poor appetite during the cold season.

You can make tea with red apples with ginger or goji berries and drink every day to keep warm and replenish energy. Red apples can also be cooked with porridge or soup, creating a nutritious dish.

Fruits rich in vitamin C – immune protection

Vitamin C is an indispensable element to increase resistance and prevent colds. Fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are rich in vitamin C, which helps the body fight harmful agents and strengthen immunity.

Every morning, you can drink a glass of honey lemonade or orange juice to supplement vitamin C. In addition, you can eat these fruits directly or use them in salads.

Broccoli – antioxidant boost

Broccoli contains many antioxidants, vitamins A, C, E and minerals, which help enhance the ability to fight free radicals and protect the body during the cold season.

Broccoli can be cooked in simple soup or stir-fried, combined with ginger or garlic to enhance disease prevention effects.

Almonds – nourish the lungs, keep warm

Almonds are nutritious nuts, containing lots of vitamin E and antioxidants, protecting the lungs and keeping the body warm in cold weather.

You can eat 10-15 seeds directly per day, or add them to porridge or yogurt to increase nutritional value.