The monsoon season has arrived and while the season changes from extreme hot to pleasant with the refreshing rains, it cannot be ruled out that it also invites a lot of health issues. Be it food poisoning, diarrhoea, infections, cold, and flu to other health risks, most of us end up falling prey to health issues in this season. Ideally, ensuring that we have an innate immune system is the only way to combat them. However, let us not forget that it can only be achievable if we eat right and strike the best balance between nutrition and immunity.
How can you eat the correct way in monsoons?
Health Shots spoke to Vibha Bajpayee, Head Dietician, Asian Hospital and she rounded up six easy tips and tricks that will keep the immune system at its best in the monsoon season. Do not forget that a lower immunity automatically translates to common monsoon diseases landing up in our bodies.
1. Drink boiled water and stay hydrated
When you boil water, the heat kills the viruses and bacteria in it, which are harmful to human health. Water flowing through our pipes is likely to get contaminated due to heavy rains, and hence, drinking boiled water is highly recommended.
2. Avoid outside food
The source of the water used in the preparation of outside food is unknown. Not just that, if the food isn’t covered properly, virus and various bacteria from the air are likely to settle on it. So, make sure to avoid any form of outside food during the monsoon season and do not take any risks.
3. Keep yourself warm
“Soups, tea, coffee, and other hot beverages are a good way to maintain your body temperature. Treat yourself with warm fluids during monsoons to stay healthy,” Bajpayee says. They also help in keeping cough, cold and throat issues at bay.
4. Incorporate immunity boosting foods
Adding immunity boosting foods in your diet that can fight viruses and bacterias for the monsoons is a must.
* Garlic, which has antibiotic, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties, helps in fighting parasites and germs. Since it is easily found in Indian households, adding it as a part of your diet is recommended.
* Similarly, you can try ginger tea and ginger juice with honey as ginger is also an antioxidant, antibiotic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory agent. It helps in strengthening the immune system.
*Last, but not the least, have turmeric in your diet as it not only boosts the body’s antioxidant capacity but does an exceptional job of killing germs. Since it contains curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties, turmeric can fight off any infections in the body.
5. Have antioxidant-rich foods
Foods that act as antioxidants, like bitter gourd, pumpkin, and amla, are good for you during monsoons. They also aid in preventing infections and keep you healthy.
6. Avoid seafood
Monsoon season is the breeding season for fishes and other sea animals. Hence, having fish eggs while you consume the fish can lead to stomach infection and food poisoning. It is advisable to avoid fish or any other seafood during the rains.
