11 Essential Foods to Fight Off Illness This Winter

The U.S. MSN Health website lists the following eleven incredible foods that can fight disease and have medicinal effects. While there are many nutrient-rich foods, the following have amazing effects on the body in multiple ways, lowering cholesterol and preventing heart disease and cancer.

1. Kiwi:

The nutritional value of kiwi is beyond people's imagination. It contains twice the vitamin C of an orange of the same size, more fiber than an apple, and more potassium than a banana. Therefore, during the treatment of cancer and heart disease, kiwi is sometimes included as a prescribed food in the treatment plan. In addition, kiwi can also accelerate wound healing. Kiwi is most nutritious when in season, so it's best to eat two every day during its peak season.

Kiwi Smoothie

2. Cherry:

Cherries are nutritious and low in calories, making them less likely to cause weight gain. Cherries help reduce inflammation and prevent cancer. Cherries contain quercetin and ellagic acid, a combination that can inhibit tumor growth and kill cancer cells. Cherries also have antiviral and antibacterial properties. The nutritional value of frozen cherries does not diminish, so if you refrigerate some cherries in season, they can be added to yogurt, smoothies, or ice cream later.

3. Beans:

Beans are a magical food. They can lower cholesterol, regulate blood sugar and insulin levels, and aid digestion. Beans provide the fiber, protein, and antioxidants the body needs.

Stir-fried Beans

4. Watercress:

Watercress is not only nutritious but also a zero-calorie food. It contains as much vitamin C as an orange, more potassium than spinach, and is also rich in vitamins A and K, multiple antioxidant carotenoids, and phytonutrients. For fighting cancer, watercress has a miraculous effect; it can kill cancer cells, block carcinogens, and protect healthy cells.

5. Spinach:

Eating more spinach can prevent eye diseases and vision loss, enhance brain function; it can also protect the colon, prostate, and breasts, lower blood pressure, and is very beneficial for human bones.

Spinach and Egg Soup

6. Onion:

Onions can easily cause bad breath, so many people avoid them. However, onions do have many health benefits. The sulfur compounds they contain can lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and the peptides they contain can prevent osteoporosis.

7. Carrot:

Carrots contain a large amount of the effective antioxidant beta-carotene, which can reduce the risk of breast cancer after menopause, and can also prevent bladder cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and more. Conversely, if you consume too little beta-carotene in your daily diet, you may develop some chronic diseases.

Carrot and Orange Juice

8. Cabbage:

Cabbage can strengthen bones, suppress allergic reactions, treat inflammation, and promote digestion. It's good to eat more of it daily—the more, the better. Additionally, a Polish study found that people who eat cabbage at least four times a week have a much lower risk of breast cancer than those who eat it once a week or less.

9. Cauliflower:

Researchers have found it hard to find another food with as many nutrients as cauliflower. Cauliflower contains countless vitamins, as well as large amounts of fiber, folic acid, iron, etc., making it very beneficial to the human body and indispensable for preventing various diseases. It's best to eat a little every day.

Three-color Stir-fried Cauliflower

10. Kale:

Kale, like cauliflower and cabbage, belongs to the same plant family and is very beneficial to the human body.

11. Dandelion:

Dandelion greens contain a variety of vitamins. In addition, among all green plants, it is one of the best sources of beta-carotene. Moreover, for a long time, dandelion greens have been used to cure hepatitis, kidney stones, cirrhosis, and more.

Dandelion and Shrimp Rice Soup