3 best superfoods to eat when you’re sick with a cold, COVID, or flu

It’s that time of year. You wake up with a scratchy throat that turns into a light cough, runny nose, and a full-on head cold by the end of the week. Respiratory viruses, from the common cold to COVID-19, are on the rise. In addition to following guidelines, staying up-to-date on vaccinations, and maintaining good hygiene to help prevent illness, there are other ways to mitigate the onset of sickness if it has begun. 

What you eat can help to alleviate some of the more common complaints associated with colds and seasonal flu. Illnesses arise from viruses, which cause inflammation in the body. Anti-inflammatory foods and spices rich in polyphenols and natural antioxidants that fight bodily stress and improve energy are essential during this time, along with those that soothe symptoms and hydrate the body. 

“Food really can be medicine when we’re looking at how to improve immunity or just release some of our symptoms,” Beth Czerwony, a registered dietitian with Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Human Nutrition,........

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