Reasonable Dietary Adjustments in Cool Weather to Prevent Cold
Autumn brings cooler weather, a season prone to colds. More patients visit Beijing Friendship Hospital seeking treatment for colds. Experts from the Respiratory Department at Friendship Hospital remind us that due to large temperature differences between morning and evening, the cold index is high. People should dress appropriately and adopt effective preventive measures.
Normally, various bacteria such as staphylococci and streptococci reside in our nasal and oral mucosa. But due to adequate immunity, these microbes cannot cause harm. When chilled, immunity drops significantly, allowing bacteria to invade and cause illness.
Colds fall into two categories: common cold (also known as wind injury) and influenza. Influenza results not only from exposure to cold but also from viral infection—viruses mainly attack the respiratory mucosa, causing inflammation and resulting symptoms. Many people underestimate colds, but they greatly impact health. A single cold severely weakens immunity, making one highly susceptible to other diseases. Therefore, pay attention to the following aspects:
One: Cold Face Washing and Hot Foot Soaking Method. Develop the habit of washing face with cold water in the morning and evening, and soaking feet in hot water. This enhances resistance to disease—"keeping colds outside the skin."
Two: Physical Exercise. During autumn and winter, engage in outdoor activities such as walking, ball games, exercises, tai chi, or sword practice. This improves cold resistance and prevents colds.
Three: Drinking Ginger Tea. Boil ginger and brown sugar in water and drink as tea—effective in preventing and treating colds.
Four: Dietary Therapy. Autumn diet follows principles: in traditional Chinese medicine, each of the five flavors has distinct functions related closely to the five organs—“five tastes belong to five organs.” Seasonal climate changes affect physiological and pathological processes. Therefore, proper diet must be tailored to condition, individual, region, and time.
Director Hong of the Nutrition Department at Beijing Friendship Hospital recommends that due to autumn’s dryness, one may moderately consume white fungus, sesame, honey, rock sugar, and pears in late autumn and early winter to nourish yin and moisten dryness. Elderly people with weak spleen and stomach should eat warm, cooked, soft foods. He specially offers a simple remedy suitable for both elderly and infants to prevent and treat colds: boil one handful of glutinous rice into porridge, add seven green onion roots and seven slices of ginger, simmer until cooked, mix in half a bottle of vinegar—this helps prevent wind-cold and maintains health.