Immaterial of your age, one can catch a cold and flu, especially in the winter. While going to a doctor and getting prescription medication is the right way, there are some foods and drinks that can help treat cold and flu at home. Read on to know more about them.

• Coconut water
  Amongst several foods and drinks that help treat cold and flu, coconut water is considered a great solution. Its hydrating properties are potent to fight cold. Moreover, it also contains Vitamin C, calcium, antioxidants, and zinc that are efficient in fighting illnesses.
• Hot tea
  There are a variety of hot teas that you can consume as prevention against cold and flu. Teas like Elderberry tea, Green tea, Lemon Tea, and several others can easily break congestion and soothe a sore throat. Lemon tea is loaded with vitamin C, an important nutrient for fighting viruses.
• Spicy foods
  Food items like wasabi, chili peppers, and horseradish help break nasal congestion. They help you get relief from symptoms of the flu and resolve breathing problems. Certain spices like capsaicin loosen mucus, which provides you relief from sore throat and is extremely comforting if you have a persistent cough.
• Bananas
  Apart from being a rich source of Vitamin C, bananas are fruits that increase your immunity. They also provide antioxidants and minerals and soothe fever and cold.
• Oatmeal
  When suffering from cold and flu, a hot bowl of oatmeal can be a great choice. Not only it’s nutritious as it contains whole grains, but also it is packed with polyphenol antioxidants, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E, all of which help enhance immunity.
• Yogurt
  If you are looking for foods and drinks that help treat cold and flu, yogurt is your best bet. Yogurt contains live bacteria that fend off the flu by protecting your body from infection-causing microbes. It is a good source of protein as every cup of yogurt has 150 calories and 8 grams of protein. It also contains immunity-boosting zinc.
• Vitamin C-rich diet
  Consume food items rich in Vitamin C, such as broccoli, strawberries, oranges, tomatoes, guavas, and pineapples. One of the reasons Vitamin C is advisable for cold and flu is because it boosts the immune system by promoting the production of white blood cells in the body that fight against infection.

Apart from the above foods and drinks that help treat cold and flu, it is also important to make certain lifestyle changes such as getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and drinking lots of fluids.