Beat the Flu with These 5 Immunity-Boosting Foods

Researchers fear that the flu season will be sticking around Phoenix longer than usual this year, peaking as late as February (Huffington Post). In addition to getting your flu shot at any of our Phoenix family clinics, our Phoenix, Surprise, Tempe and Laveen doctors also recommend taking steps to boost your immune system and fend off the flu virus. Here are five immunity-boosting nutritional habits to stay healthy all year long.

Immune-Boosting Tip Number 1: Keep Drinking Water

The average human body consists of at least 55 percent water. Staying hydrated is the best way to maintain body temperature, filter out toxins, cushion and protect organs, and aid in digestion. Common advice is to drink 64-ounces of water each day, but this suggestion does not factor in your activity level and unique needs. Use this handy hydration calculator that calculates the amount of water you should drink based on the following categories: gender, weight, height, activity level, and even outside temperature

Immune-Boosting Tip Number 2: Eat Vitamin-Rich Foods

The cold and flu season is a great time to add more citrus fruits, pears, apples, carrots, and legumes to your diet. All of these are high in soluble fiber, which helps rid your body of foods that harbor any bacterial strains or viruses.

Consume foods rich in Zinc, such as chick peas, yogurt, pumpkin seeds, cashews, and certain types of seafood, like oysters and crab. Zinc is proposed to help reduce the length of a cold (Organic Facts). Consider pairing yogurt and pumpkin seeds with citrus fruits, apples or carrots in your next smoothie.

Immune-Boosting Tip Number 3: Up Dose of Active Probiotics

Good active bacteria ward off infection and boost the immune system. That doesn't mean that all probiotic-containing foods are created equal. Consult with your family doctor at Phoenix Family Medical Clinic to find the probiotic that meets your individual needs.

Immune Boosting-Tip Number 4: Steep Some Tea

Tea is the classic comfort beverage when you’re feeling under the weather. Green tea is even better thanks to its abundance of antioxidants that boost immune systems. Never add milk to green tea when using it to treat the flu because the protein in milk bonds to the antioxidants, rendering them useless (Eating Well).

Immune-Boosting Tip Number 5: Indulge in Chicken Soup

The age-old cure-all recommended by grandmothers everywhere, chicken noodle soup actually does work as a treatment for common colds and flu. In fact, Prevention reports that the University of Nebraska found 12 of 13 chicken soup brands effective in blocking white inflammatory cell build-up within the bronchial tubes. Chicken soup contains healthy ingredients, such as cysteine (an amino acid that converts into an antioxidant), salt to reduce mucus thickness, and the immune-boosting strength of garlic, spices and onions. Add lemon juice for extra Vitamin C, turmeric to reduce inflammation, ginger to sooth upset stomachs, and cayenne pepper to loosen mucus build-up in the sinuses.

A healthy diet is the best preventative medicine in the fight against the flu. If you are feeling under the weather or just want a flu shot before the worst of the flu season, take the time to stop in to our five Phoenix medical centers. All our walk-in clinics serve as urgent care facilities throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area. We provide health solutions and consultations as a no-insurance clinic for Phoenix, South Phoenix, Ahwatukee, Tempe, Laveen, and Surprise communities. Book an appointment or stop in today. You can also leave us a question on Facebook!

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