Flu, fever and colds are common illnesses that can easily be prevented by a healthy diet. You can help your body to fight off the germs that cause these illnesses by eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein. These foods contain nutrients that boost your immune system and keep it strong. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables also helps to prevent constipation, which can make you feel more tired and less able to fight off infections.
The following list will give you some suggestions of what fruits to eat when you have a cold or flu.
Apples: Apples are rich in vitamin C, which helps strengthen your immune system. They also contain pectin, which soothes irritated mucous membranes in your throat and nose. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), apples may help reduce inflammation caused by colds and flu because they contain quercetin, an antioxidant that has anti-inflammatory properties.
Oranges: According to UMMC, oranges have been shown to reduce the severity of symptoms for those who have the flu or other upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia. Oranges are rich in vitamin C and flavonoids such as hesperidin
The flu is a viral infection caused by influenza viruses. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, chills and fatigue.
The flu spreads easily from person to person and is contagious for about a day before symptoms begin and up to five days after an infected person gets sick.
Fruits are rich in antioxidants that help boost the immune system. They can also help ease the body’s reaction to the flu virus by reducing swelling of mucus membranes and decreasing fever. Fruits like tomatoes, oranges and berries contain vitamin C which helps prevent infections by supporting your body’s immune system.
There are some fruits that should be avoided or limited during the flu because they can cause constipation which can make diarrhea worse or even dehydrate you if you have diarrhea.
There are many fruits that can help with the flu, but some are better than others. The best fruits to eat while you have a fever or the flu include:
Lemons and limes. They’re both high in vitamin C, which helps your body fight off infection.
Grapes. They contain antioxidants that help boost the immune system.
Pineapple juice contains bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme that has anti-inflammatory effects on the body and can reduce fever.
Watermelon is full of vitamin C and also contains water, which can help rehydrate you when you’re sick.
Strawberries have high levels of vitamin C and may be helpful for preventing diarrhea during a bout of influenza A (H1N1).
The best fruits to eat during a fever are those that are high in vitamin C. While this vitamin cannot directly treat the flu, it can help you recover faster by boosting your immune system.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps to neutralize free radicals in the body. These free radicals are produced during illness and they can damage cells and tissues in your body.
The following fruits have a high content of vitamin C:
Orange (90 mg per 100g)
Grapefruit (64 mg per 100g)
Lemon (42 mg per 100g)
Kiwifruit (45 mg per 100g)
Pineapple (40 mg per 100g)
1. Watermelon- Watermelon is an excellent source of vitamin A, which helps reduce inflammation. Vitamin C and lycopene are also found in watermelon, which have been known to help reduce fevers.
2. Apples- Apples contain high levels of vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system, making them a great fruit for people with the flu or other illnesses that cause fever. Apples are also rich in antioxidants that promote cardiovascular health and lower cholesterol levels. They can also help keep your digestive tract running smoothly during times of illness when you’re not eating well or as much as usual due to nausea or vomiting from flu symptoms.
3. Bananas- Bananas are rich in B vitamins and potassium, both of which can help alleviate some symptoms associated with illness such as muscle aches, fatigue and headaches. Bananas also contain tryptophan which helps produce serotonin, a hormone that helps promote feelings of happiness and well being—perfect when you’re feeling down because you’re sick!
4. Strawberries- Strawberries contain vitamin C which helps strengthen your immune system and prevent illness from occurring in the first place! They also have potassium which helps regulate
Colds, flus and other upper respiratory infections are no fun. They make you feel tired, weak and even a little feverish. The good news is that there are plenty of fruits that can help you feel better.
The key is to eat the right ones at the right time. Some fruits should be avoided during a cold or flu, while others can actually help cure a cold or flu more quickly.
Here’s a look at some of the best fruits for fighting off colds and flu:
Bananas: Bananas are one of the best foods for fighting off colds and flu because they contain potassium and magnesium — two minerals that help reduce muscle aches associated with colds and flu. They also contain vitamin B6, which helps improve sleep quality when you’re sick. Bananas are also high in fiber, which helps keep your digestive system moving smoothly when you’re under the weather.
Apples: Apples are another great fruit to eat during cold season because they contain antioxidants called flavonoids that help fight off free radicals in your body — something that’s especially important when you’re sick because your immune system is weakened (and making it easier for viruses to take hold).