It is very important to prevent influenza and improve the body's immunity! Doctors give these nutritional suggestions...

Influenza has been prevalent in various places recently. After being infected with influenza, patients often experience symptoms such as high fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, etc. Some patients may also experience digestive tract symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The symptoms of the elderly, children, pregnant women and patients with chronic diseases are more severe after infection, which can easily lead to complications such as pneumonia, respiratory failure, and myocarditis.

Nutritionists at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine remind that in the face of the threat of influenza, in addition to adhering to daily protection, strengthening nutrition and improving one's own immunity are also key to preventing influenza.

Proper nutrition is the basis for maintaining good health and an important means of preventing and treating diseases. The human body needs a variety of nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, etc., which play important physiological functions in the body, such as providing energy, building tissues, and regulating metabolism.

Lack of certain nutrients can affect the body's normal physiological functions, leading to malnutrition, growth retardation, decreased immunity, increased morbidity and other health problems. Intake of balanced and adequate nutrition can effectively support the body's immune system and more effectively resist the invasion of influenza viruses.

Nutritional Strategies for Preventing Flu

1. Balanced diet

Vegetables are rich in dietary fiber; fruits such as oranges, lemons, and strawberries are rich in vitamin C; foods such as mushrooms and fish are rich in vitamin D; lean meat, seafood, nuts, etc. are good sources of zinc and can be supplemented appropriately.

Vitamin C has an antioxidant effect, which can enhance the activity of white blood cells and improve the body's resistance; Vitamin D participates in the regulation of the human immune system and helps maintain the normal function of immune cells; Zinc is a component of many enzymes and plays a key role in the development and function of immune cells.

At the same time, when the flu virus attacks, the body needs more protein to repair damaged cells, so you should eat chicken, beef, fish, tofu, eggs and other high-quality protein foods in moderation. Protein is an important substance that makes up human cells and tissues, and adequate protein intake can provide a solid material foundation for the immune system.

2. Eat a light diet

Avoid eating too much fried food and greasy meat, eat light food, and use more cooking methods such as steaming, boiling, and stewing to maintain gastrointestinal health. Excessively greasy food will cause more inflammatory reactions in the body and reduce the function of the immune system.

Nutritionists remind us that to prevent influenza, we should also avoid overeating and drinking. Overeating can cause gastrointestinal disorders, affect nutrient absorption and utilization, and produce too much fat and metabolic waste, which will increase the burden on the body and weaken the immune system. Excessive drinking can damage organs such as the liver and reduce the body's detoxification and immune capabilities. Therefore, we should pay attention to controlling the amount of food and alcohol in our daily lives and maintain regular eating habits.

3. Sufficient water

Sufficient water intake can keep the respiratory tract moist, help the body detoxify, and avoid upper respiratory tract infections. It is generally recommended that adults drink about 1500-2000 ml of water per day. In addition to boiled water, you can also drink light tea in moderation, such as green tea, black tea, etc. The antioxidants such as tea polyphenols contained in them are good for health.

However, be careful to avoid drinking sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages, as this may affect the body's water balance and nutrient absorption, which is not conducive to preventing influenza.

Nutritionists remind us that we can eat foods that have an immune-enhancing effect and play a positive role in preventing influenza. Garlic and onions contain natural antiviral and antibacterial ingredients that can effectively kill germs. We can increase their intake appropriately in our daily diet. Ginger tea helps promote blood circulation and enhance immunity. Drinking a cup of it in cold weather can warm the body and improve resistance. Fungal foods, especially black fungus, shiitake mushrooms, and seaweed, can improve human immunity and can be made into shiitake mushroom stewed chicken, seaweed egg drop soup, and cold black fungus.

4. Exercise moderately

Moderate exercise can enhance the body's immune function and improve the ability to resist viruses and bacteria. You can choose gentle exercises such as walking, yoga, and Tai Chi. Maintain a regular exercise schedule and exercise in moderation, avoiding excessive and strenuous exercise. If the weather permits, try to exercise outdoors, where good air circulation can reduce the spread of germs; wear a mask when exercising in crowded indoor places.

Even at home, you can do some light stretching exercises or housework to avoid sitting for long periods of time, which can reduce blood circulation and affect immunity.

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Xu Chang, Department of Nutrition, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine

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(Edited by YT)