7. Fermented Foods
Think of your gut as a personal bodyguard. Since it’s the first line of defense for anything you ingest, it protects all other organs. Fermented foods — like kimchi, miso, tempeh, and sauerkraut — can protect you from colds in general thanks to their probiotics. You might also consider taking a probiotic (a.k.a. beneficial bacteria) supplement designed to prevent diseases year-round. They’ve been linked to reducing the duration of a cold and may decrease your likelihood of getting sick.
8. Fresh Ginger
There’s a reason why many people swear by ginger ale when they’re feeling nauseous or sick — while it’s diluted in this kind of drink, raw, unprocessed ginger is actually predisposed to lower bacterial counts. A 2016 review found that fresh ginger contains high amounts of antibacterial properties known as gingerols, which have also been linked to lower risk of a slew of chronic diseases.