Beat The Bug—With Food
1/12/07

If you are trying to fight off the latest respiratory infection or stomach bug that’s going around, you might want to make a stop at the supermarket. New research shows that several foods might have what it takes to help keep you from getting sick.

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that people who ate the following foods on a regular basis were better able to fight off bugs that cause colds and the flu:

Eat...
Because it contains...
Bananas
Vitamin B-6, which may help fight off infection
Yams, Sweet Potatoes
Beta carotene, a nutrient that becomes vitamin A and helps produce white blood cells, which fight off infection
Onions and Garlic
Allicin, which may help block enzymes and zap the viruses that make you sick
Whole-Grain Cereal
Great stuff such as B vitamins and zinc, which can help keep your immune system strong
Cayenne Pepper
Capsaicin, which helps open your airways so you breathe a little easier