Most colds and the flu will go away on their own in a couple of days. Antibiotics will not treat a cold or the flu because they are caused by a virus; however, there are some foods that can help alleviate symptoms. If the cold or flu does not go away or gets worse, you should contact your doctor.
Foods Containing Vitamin C
Vitamin C works as an antioxidant to protect the immune system from the free radicals that cause illnesses and infections. Seizer and Whitney writes that vitamin C does not help prevent colds, but can help shorten the duration of a cold. Taking one gram of vitamin C at the beginning of a cold can help reduce the severity of the cold symptoms by 40 percent. Vitamin C can be found in many food sources. The foods with the highest sources include red peppers, orange juice, broccoli, strawberries, sweet potatoes, grapefruit and Brussels sprouts.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Mom's chicken noodle soup does have healing powers after all. According to the MayoClinic.com, chicken noodle soup has been found to possibly relieve cold and flu symptoms. When a person becomes sick with the cold or flu, the cells of their immune system become inflamed and chicken noodle soup has been found to work as an anti-inflammatory. According to MayoClinic.com, chicken noodle soup also helps increase the movement of mucus, which helps loosen congestion and decreases the time that mucus is in contact with the lining of the nose.
B.R.A.T. Diet
The gastrointestinal flu it is not caused by the virus that causes influenza. Gastrointestinal flu is very contagious and is accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea for one to two days. A person with the gastrointestinal flu should follow the B.R.A.T. or B.R.A.T.Y. diet. B.R.A.T. stands for "bananas, rice, apples and toast." These foods are bland and well tolerated by the digestive system. The B.R.A.T.Y. diet includes the addition of yogurt, which contains active cultures that help the digestive system recover.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Cold Remedies
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Viral Gastroenteritis
- "Nutrition Concepts and Controversies 10th Edition"; Sizer, Frances and Whitney, Eli; 2006.
