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During the monsoon stagnant water that acts as means of propagation for multiple viruses and bacteria. That coupled with the humidity makes the risk of infections much higher in monsoon compared to other seasons. Therefore, there is a need to prevent such infections and it can be done by adding a few foods to your daily diet. Dieticians Kajal Wattamwar and Bushra Qureshi, Co-founders of Healthy Steady Go, list them here.
Turmeric
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Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Curcumin is the active compound found in turmeric which helps boost immunity. Drink it in milk at bedtime with a pinch of pepper powder, or add turmeric powder to your meals, have freshly grated turmeric with honey for cold and cough. It’s known as the golden spice for a reason, add it to your daily diet and not only just the monsoon.
Probiotics
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Probiotics are the good bacteria present in the gut. They help boost your immune system. Studies showed that adding probiotics to the diet increased the production of immune cells and helps promote production of natural antibodies in the body. Foods like yoghurt, kefir, pickles, kombucha, chhaas, kimchi are loaded with probiotics.
Fermented foods are also great for your gut, creating a favorable environment for good bacteria, including which will help load up your immunity.
Seasonal Fruits
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Fruits are naturally loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Eating right fruits at the right season is the trick. Monsoon has some great fruits in hand like pomegranates, jamun, cherries, pear, plum, peaches, fresh dates. Make sure to eat whole fruits and not juice them!
Ginger And Garlic
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Most of the superfoods are already rocking our Indian kitchens! Ginger and garlic are one of them. They have anti-bacterial and immunity boosting properties. Add garlic to dishes such as soups and rasams that are perfectly comforting if you have a cold. Ginger can help soothe stomach as it aids in digestion, so a cup of ginger tea post meals is perfect.
Spices
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Spices such as black pepper, clove, ajwain and cinnamon help improve immunity levels. They include nutrients that aids in digestion and help relieve symptoms of cold and cough, apart from benefitting overall health. Make a kadha with spices, lemon juice and tulsi leaves and have daily.
Foods Rich In Vitamin C
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Vitamin C is known to strengthen your immunity block, which is why most multivitamins have vitamin C. It works at the improving your cellular immune response. Fruits like guava, pomegranate, oranges, jamun, are loaded with it. Veggies like capsicum are one of the richest sources of vitamin C.
Other Dos And Don’ts…
Image: Shutterstock
Also read: Avoid Viral Infections During The Monsoon With These Seasonal Veggies
During the monsoon stagnant water that acts as means of propagation for multiple viruses and bacteria. That coupled with the humidity makes the risk of infections much higher in monsoon compared to other seasons. Therefore, there is a need to prevent such infections and it can be done by adding a few foods to your daily diet. Dieticians Kajal Wattamwar and Bushra Qureshi, Co-founders of Healthy Steady Go, list them here.
Turmeric
Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Curcumin is the active compound found in turmeric which helps boost immunity. Drink it in milk at bedtime with a pinch of pepper powder, or add turmeric powder to your meals, have freshly grated turmeric with honey for cold and cough. It’s known as the golden spice for a reason, add it to your daily diet and not only just the monsoon.
Probiotics
Probiotics are the good bacteria present in the gut. They help boost your immune system. Studies showed that adding probiotics to the diet increased the production of immune cells and helps promote production of natural antibodies in the body. Foods like yoghurt, kefir, pickles, kombucha, chhaas, kimchi are loaded with probiotics.
Fermented foods are also great for your gut, creating a favorable environment for good bacteria, including which will help load up your immunity.
Seasonal Fruits
Fruits are naturally loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Eating right fruits at the right season is the trick. Monsoon has some great fruits in hand like pomegranates, jamun, cherries, pear, plum, peaches, fresh dates. Make sure to eat whole fruits and not juice them!
Ginger And Garlic
Most of the superfoods are already rocking our Indian kitchens! Ginger and garlic are one of them. They have anti-bacterial and immunity boosting properties. Add garlic to dishes such as soups and rasams that are perfectly comforting if you have a cold. Ginger can help soothe stomach as it aids in digestion, so a cup of ginger tea post meals is perfect.
Spices
Spices such as black pepper, clove, ajwain and cinnamon help improve immunity levels. They include nutrients that aids in digestion and help relieve symptoms of cold and cough, apart from benefitting overall health. Make a kadha with spices, lemon juice and tulsi leaves and have daily.
Foods Rich In Vitamin C
Vitamin C is known to strengthen your immunity block, which is why most multivitamins have vitamin C. It works at the improving your cellular immune response. Fruits like guava, pomegranate, oranges, jamun, are loaded with it. Veggies like capsicum are one of the richest sources of vitamin C.
Other Dos And Don’ts…
- Along with making these additions to your daily diet, ensure you avoid eating raw and uncooked foods. Cooking kills most microorganisms making it safe for consumption.
- Make sure you get your daily dose of vitamin D, bask in whatever little sunlight there is.
- Hydrate well, humidity can make you feel otherwise, but drink water even if you aren’t thirsty.
- Get good sleep, sleep early and wake up early to make sure your body is aligned with your circadian rhythms.
Also read: Avoid Viral Infections During The Monsoon With These Seasonal Veggies
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