As the cold weather approaches, people accustomed to mild winters are suffering from a variety of illnesses. First, the elderly experience cardiovascular issues, followed by children with weaker immune systems contracting colds and pneumonia. Now, colds and bronchitis have started to affect middle-aged and young adults who exercise less. Therefore, preventing "repeated colds" has become a common topic across the country.
Red foods can prevent colds
Professor Shen Aidi, head of the Respiratory Medicine Department at Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, explains that the threat of a cold isn't just fever and a runny nose; it can also lead to many complications, such as tracheitis and bronchitis. More severe cases can even lead to serious infectious diseases like pneumonia and myocarditis. Therefore, one should never be complacent about a common cold in daily life.
Experts also recommend eating more red-colored foods like red chili peppers, carrots, pumpkins, tomatoes, onions, and hawthorn. The beta-carotene contained in these foods can help prevent colds. Drinking a cup of yogurt or a bowl of chicken soup daily can also effectively prevent the flu.
In addition to "preventing illness through diet," experts have also introduced some drug-free methods to prevent and treat colds. For example, rubbing your palms together can promote blood circulation, unblock meridians, and enhance the immune function of the upper respiratory tract to defend against colds. Of course, experts believe that the most important thing is to persist in regular physical exercise, such as walking, running, hiking, playing ball games, or practicing tai chi, which can improve the body's ability to resist cold and prevent colds from occurring.
There are as many as 200 types of cold viruses
It is understood that the human immune system faces attacks from various viruses every day, with the common cold virus being the most prevalent. Statistics show that there can be up to 200 different types of cold viruses. It's inevitable for the immune system to have occasional lapses when facing different viruses each time. Once the immune system is weakened, colds can easily take advantage. Drastic weather changes, overexertion, mental stress, and long-term confinement in enclosed spaces can all lead to a decrease in immunity, giving cold viruses an opportunity to strike. Therefore, the most effective and healthy way to combat colds is to rationally balance the nutrients in your daily diet to improve your own immunity.