Food Cures for a Common Cold

Load up on C-rich foods.

Getting appropriate amounts of vitamin C through your diet is very important for maintaining a healthy immune system. Foods rich in C include bell peppers, broccoli, oranges and strawberries. If you’re considering a supplement, aim for one that provides no more than 500 mg of vitamin C daily. Research has found that large supplemental doses don’t seem to do much of anything. In fact, it’s been shown that vitamin C in amounts greater than about 200 mg—that’s more than double the RDA—had no additional effects of boosting immunity or preventing colds. Not surprisingly, a natural boost of vitamin C from delicious foods is your best bet.