Foods that are better than medicine

The old standby phrase, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" may really have some truth behind it. Everyone knows that eating good foods like fruits and vegetables and avoiding junk food will make you healthier, but there are certain foods that may even have healing powers.

When we eat more processed food that tastes good, but offers little in the way of nutrition, we are hurting our immune systems, which can make it harder to defend against illnesses. You might be concerned about eating healthy for a variety of reasons, but it's especially important to eat a varied and nutritious diet when you feel sick to help your body receive the nutrients it needs to be well.

While eating apples alone won't keep you healthy and disease-free, a varied diet that is full of beneficial nutrients will strengthen your immune system, leaving you better able to fight illnesses. If you're conditioned to run to the pharmacy every time you catch a cold or feel sick, you might not realize how food can make you feel better. Certain foods can actually help ease your symptoms in effective ways that may make you rethink taking medicine. Here are some of the best healing foods for your body:

Yogurt
Packed with probiotic live cultures of good bacteria, yogurt aids in digestive health by clearing out germs that can cause disease. Studies have shown that people who eat more yogurt as part of their regular diet are more likely to take fewer sick days. There are many varieties of yogurt you can purchase, but it's important to look for those with live, active cultures.

Furthermore, you should check the label to look for added sugar and avoid those that are full of additional sweeteners. Try eating yogurt daily or a few times per week to gain the immune-boosting benefits.

Honey
There are many health benefits of honey, though you might enjoy it for the its taste and texture with a variety of food and beverages. If you've ever added honey to tea when you have a sore throat or cough, you probably took advantage of its natural antibacterial qualities without even realizing. At the first sign of a cough or cold, add a little honey into your diet to keep illness away. Some studies have indicated that honey can protect against food poisoning like salmonella and E. coli.

If you're taking antibiotics get rid of a more serious illness, consuming honey can actually replace some of the good bacteria you lose from medications. It has been used in many ways since ancient times, and can even be applied topically to help heal cuts and scrapes thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Garlic
For centuries, garlic has been used to ward off not only vampires and evil spirits, but illnesses as well. From the ancient Egyptians to the Greeks, Romans and Chinese, the healing properties of garlic have been well known to help with maladies of all kinds. While many ancient people believed that garlic protected them from evil entities, there are more than just spiritual beliefs that make this food one of the best things you can eat.

Consuming garlic has been linked to treating acne and dandruff, among having other antifungal properties. In addition, garlic is also a very powerful antioxidant, which helps rid the body of free radicals – the cells that cause cancer and aging. Consuming the herb regularly can improve your health and fight off bacteria in way similar to penicillin. Some many find the strong odor of garlic off-putting, but adding it to your diet can heal you and boost immune system in many ways.

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