Have a sore throat, runny nose, body pain, or fever? Well, the cold and flu season can do that to you! Viruses tend to spread quickly when an infected person coughs or sneezes near you or you touch a surface that they had touched just a while back. However, by including these cold and flu superfoods in your diet, you can fight the virus easily and stay healthy.

1. Lemon
Lemon is loaded with vitamin C, which boosts immunity, helps balance the pH level of your body, and alleviates inflammation and pain. Adding a dash of lemon juice to warm water or tea and sipping on it frequently can keep you hydrated and improve digestion.

2. Ginger
Ginger, one of the popular cold and flu superfoods, is a powerhouse of antioxidants. Apart from flushing out bodily toxins, it fights pain and inflammation and is especially helpful for congestion. Ginger is great for respiratory infections, bacterial growth and nausea as well. Just add a slice of it while boiling water for your tea or enjoy it some raw honey and lime.

3. Turmeric
Turmeric, which is useful for pain relief, is rich in antioxidants and has been used for years to fight cold and flu. It has anti-inflammatory properties too. Turmeric contains curcumin, which makes it one of the best cold and flu superfoods. You can add a pinch of it (in the powder form) to your tea, along with ginger, lemon and raw honey. Or you can add turmeric to soups, curries and stews. Also, combining turmeric with black pepper helps it fight cold and flu better.

4. Raw honey
Raw honey is perfect for powering up your immune system and getting enough antioxidants. It also soothes a sore throat effectively and reduces coughing. Having honey right before hitting the bed can help you sleep better, as your brain produces melatonin that way. And that helps you recover from bouts of cold or flu faster. Adding raw honey to tea or warm water is a great way to enjoy it.

5. Garlic
Garlic is among the most potent cold and flu superfoods that contains allicin, which fights bacterial and fungi. Garlic is also rich in vitamin C and B6 and is immunity-boosting in nature. Just make sure the garlic is fresh. You can chop up a few cloves and add to stir fries, salad dressings, stews, and soups.

6. Broccoli
Apart from being rich in vitamin C, broccoli contains essential nutrients like potassium, beta-carotene, vitamin A and folate. Since broccoli is fibre-rich and very low in calories, adding it to your diet will not only enhance your immunity, but also help maintain your weight. You can have it raw in salads or steam or sauté it lightly with other veggies. Add broccoli to soups, stews or pair it with chicken if you want.

The cold and flu superfoods listed above can do you a world of good if you have them regularly. In case you follow a special diet, do consult your doctor first.