Foods That Fight…Illness, That Is

By Amy Campbell That time of the year is upon us: the "holidays." It's not even Thanksgiving yet, but the stores are already filled with Christmas decorations and gifts. Holiday music is playing on radio stations. Holidays are fun, but this season can come with side effects, including colds and flu, heartburn, upset stomach, headaches, muscle aches, and fatigue. Medicine is often needed to treat these maladies, but if you're looking for something a little more natural and gentle, think, instead, about food. Food is medicine, too, and what better way to remedy your maladies and nourish your body at the same time? Colds and flu No one wants to be bedridden with a fever, runny nose, sore throat, and/or headache. Hopefully you got your flu shot (recommended for everyone older than 6 months who has diabetes), but the reality is that there are different strains of flu, and when it comes to the common cold, the best defense is a good offense. Here are some foods that can help you feel better if any of those nasty viruses strike: Chicken soup. There's nothing better than a steaming bowl of chicken soup when you're under the weather. Chicken soup works in two ways: it blocks the movement of neutrophils, a type of cells that cause inflammation, and it helps move mucus (as unpleasant as that sounds), clearing up stuffy noses and heads and also helping viruses move through you more quickly. Homemade chicken soup is best, but even the canned kind will do the trick. Citrus fruits. Winter i...
Source: Diabetes Self-Management - Category: Diabetes Authors: Source Type: blogs