It really is miserable to catch a cold and sometimes, the misery can stretch to a few days. A number of medications are available to help manage a cold. But nature has blessed us with foods that are natural anti-inflammatory agents and strengthen us internally to fight against infections.
Simple foods like the turmeric and pineapple, when taken during an infection, can work wonders to soothe your discomfort. They are loaded with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that can drive the virus away from your bodies, possibly sooner than medications might do. Since turmeric cannot be eaten raw like pineapple, a smoothie is your best option. You will get maximum benefit out of the two ingredients this way. Try the smoothie, which not only helps you recover sooner but also tastes like a divine dessert. Here’s a simple recipe to get you started.
Pineapple And Turmeric Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 cups almond milk or any nut milk
- Fresh lime juice and grated lime zest
- 1/2 cup mint leaves
- 1 tsp ginger
- 3 cups pineapple
- Dates or sweetener
- 1/2 tsp coconut oil
- 1/2 tsp turmeric, fresh or powdered
Directions
- Blend everything in the blender till smooth.
- Tweak the lime zest, lime juice, and ginger as per your taste.
Benefits Of Pineapple And Turmeric
1. Pineapple Contains Vitamin C
Pineapple is loaded with vitamin C and can help break down mucus and expel it from your body. Its excellent antibacterial properties make it your best friend during a cold or flu. Research reveals that the active ingredient in pineapple, bromelain, shows distinct pharmacological promise and has excellent anti-inflammatory properties. This is known to actively kills germs that cause respiratory tract and allergic infections.12
2. Pineapple Is Rich In Bromelain
Bromelain is generally found in the core and stem of pineapples. The bromelain in pineapple suppresses a cough and loosens mucus, mint clears respiratory congestion, ginger encourages sweating to flush out toxins, vitamin C in lime and pineapple acts as a natural antibiotic to fight infection. How can you eat this pineapple? Fresh juice is the fastest and best option. You can try a combination with other herbs and make it into something interesting. If you cannot find it fresh, make sure you keep a can of pineapples in your fridge during winter.
3. Turmeric Has Anti-Bacterial Properties
Turmeric is the most easily found cold and flu fighting super spice. Studies show that turmeric can even stop a cold in 24 hours and hasten the healing process. Its active ingredient is curcumin, which is great at fighting unwanted microbes, and because of its high antiviral and antibacterial properties, it helps to rid excess mucus in the body. 34
4. Turmeric Is An Anti-Inflammatory
Turmeric is known as a great anti-inflammatory agent all over. It is for this purpose that turmeric can be consumed while you have a common cold. It is generally taken with warm milk at bedtime or as a hot turmeric tea. Turmeric is more easily absorbed by your body when taken with healthy fats like coconut oil. A dash of fresh or powdered turmeric in your soup or a little turmeric in a cup of warm milk when you go to bed also works wonders.
As bad as a cold can be, pineapple and turmeric are an easy remedy to make and tasty enough to make you feel better and comforted!
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