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Foods to Cure a Flu

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the flu is a contagious respiratory condition that affects 5 to 20 percent of people in the United States every season. Older people, children and people with certain conditions are more susceptible to the flu. The CDC says that more than 200,000 people spend time in the hospital because of the flu and that a flu vaccination provides the best protection against this contagious virus. Food to cure a flu gives people added nutrients that protect their bodies.

  1. Eat Chicken Soup

    • Chicken soup is a classic food that cures a flu bug, nicknamed Grandma's penicillin. Researchers have tried figuring out how chicken soup fights the flu. The Healthier Life website cites research conducted by Dr. Stephen Rennard from the University of Nebraska and found that chicken soup acts like a natural anti-inflammatory. In addition, many of the ingredients in chicken soup are nutritious foods like garlic, onions, carrots, celery, parsley, parsnips and turnips. The steam from hot soup also clears the sinus passages. Add spices like horseradish, chili peppers and hot sauces to chicken soup to relieve congestion.

    Reach for Vitamin C

    • Vitamin C-rich foods like oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, strawberries, pineapple and potatoes cure a flu by building the immune system. To get more C in the diet, eat one of these vitamin-rich foods at each meal. In the morning, eat a half of grapefruit or orange with breakfast or drink a glass of natural orange juice. Add citrus fruit to a salad or eat one of these foods as a morning and afternoon snack. The U.S. National Library of Medicine says that the body cannot make its own vitamin C, so food is the best source of this essential nutrient.

    Consume Ginger

    • The University of Maryland Medical Center says that ginger cures a flu by relieving symptoms related to this condition, such as headaches, nausea, vomiting and body aches. People can ingest ginger in various forms. People can eat ginger snaps or gingerbread, use it as a seasoning in different foods like sauces, or use it as a condiment. People can drink ginger ale as well. For a hot drink, purchase ginger tea or dried or fresh ginger root. Tea bags and ginger roots can steep for up to 10 minutes in hot water. Drink with honey for added flu-fighting benefits.

    Drink Plenty of Fluids

    • In addition to eating foods to cure a flu, sufferers must drink plenty of clear fluids to assist the foods eaten. The American Academy of Family Physicians says that drinking water loosens mucus and prevents dehydration. People can drink water with hot lemon or other citrus fruit or herbal tea with honey. All of these foods serve as flu virus cures.

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