Adopting habits like washing hands regularly, sanitizing, and maintaining a safe distance from a flu patient can lower your chances of catching a cold or cough. Though these useful tips help you externally, the best way to fight cold and flu is to boost your immunity system from within. Eating healthy food that provides proper nutrition is essential for your immune system. Following is the list of the best immunity-boosting foods for the cold:

1. Coconut water
Keeping yourself hydrated is important at all times, especially if you are down with flu. Coconut water is a low-calorie drink that helps maintain the electrolyte levels in our bodies. The energy provided by its natural sugar keeps us energetic the whole day. Avoid drinking bottled coconut water because it contains preservatives that are harmful to our bodies. Instead, drink natural coconut water that is 100% pure and without any added ingredients.

2. Hot tea
Drinking hot fluids regularly also helps in boosting the immune system. Tea infused with ginger or lemon is a great immunity booster. The presence of gingerol in ginger makes it a perfect immunity booster. Its rich nutrients and anti-inflammatory properties keep you away from several ailments.

3. Spicy food
Now you have one more reason to eat spicy food. Foods that are spicy improve your immunity in the long run. The antibacterial and antimicrobial properties protect our body from any kind of bacteria. Foods like jalapeno, bell peppers and chilies are some examples of spicy food.

4. Bananas
Bananas are packed with vitamin B6 that keeps our immune systems healthy. It is also a prebiotic that improves our gut health. You can either eat them directly or make smoothies. Add them to your breakfast bowl or use them in some other manner. Bananas are the most ordinary immunity booster one can find.

5. Oatmeal
Oats have soluble fiber beta-glucan that is known to fight infection and boost immunity levels. Also, it contains two crucial nutrients like zinc and selenium, which are also known to ward of infection, keeping you safe.

6. Yogurt
Yogurt is a natural probiotic that improves the immunity system. It contains good bacteria that keep infection away from your body. Also, it’s packed with vitamins and nutrients that give your immunity system a boost. Apart from these, it is entirely fat-free and helps in promoting gut health.

7. Citrus fruits
Since our body does not produce vitamin C, we need to outsource it. Fruits rich in vitamin C aid in the production of white blood cells. White blood cells are known to fight infection in our bodies. Oranges, clementine, lemons, and grapefruit are all some examples of vitamin C-rich fruits.

Boosting your immunity is the need of the hour. Including this list of best immunity-boosting foods in your diet helps in strengthening your immune system and promotes good health.