Not only do healthy, nutrient-dense foods nourish your body and help the cells grow and reproduce, they also help arm your body’s defenses to ward off attacks from germs and viruses that cause sickness. Low-fat meats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and whole grains all play a part in preparing your body to do battle.
Another important component of your anti-virus defense system is water. When your body is dehydrated, it’s at an increased risk of not being able to fight sickness. So be sure to drink plenty of water and decaffeinated drinks to help your body stay hydrated and ready.
Just one cup of yogurt a day may work to keep the gastrointestinal track healthier, which can help ward off viruses. It has to be yogurt with live cultures, as this is the key ingredient that helps keep the GI track ready to rumble. And an added bonus to eating yogurt – recent studies suggest regular dairy consumption helps you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
Garlic contains allicin, an antibiotic that has been shown to prevent complications from a virus in some research. Garlic can be added to many of your favorite dishes to spice them up and help you suit up to do battle against viruses and germs.
It’s been said an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Well, so can an orange. One orange a day provides your recommended daily allowance of vitamin C. Oranges are also abundant in flavonoids, which helps your body’s cells regenerate and stay healthy and strong. Green bell peppers are the vegetable family’s best vitamin C source. Add them to a salad, or simply slice one up and eat it raw. Flavonoids are also found in peppers. You may even want to prepare a green pepper dip seasoned with garlic for an added germ-kicking effect.
Lean ground beef, especially when prepared with a bit of garlic, can maintain cell health and fight off illness. It’s a good source of protein, selenium and zinc, and when eaten with a bit of tomato, is a great defense against sickness.
