Many students on campus swear by EmergenC or NyQuil to help battle symptoms of cold and flu, yet there are several everyday foods that can help boost the immune system and prevent illness before it even takes hold.

“Green tea ups your immune system and boosts your metabolism too, for weight loss,” junior liberal studies major Richard Dansky said.

Dansky is correct. Research shows that tea, green tea especially, can help prevent and cure symptoms of illness. It can act as mucus thinner and can help keep the body properly hydrated. Hydration is extremely important in terms of keeping the immune system strong.

In addition to rest and hydration, vitamin C and antioxidants play a key role in maintaining a stable immune system.

Foods high in vitamin C include citrus fruits, papaya, butternut squash, tomatoes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and red bell peppers. The Huffington Post published in 2014 that “studies have found that this antioxidant can reduce cold symptoms by 23 percent.”

Echinacea and honey can also prove beneficial, as both are reliable sources of antioxidants. Honey also contains antimicrobial material to help fight viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

In addition to antioxidants and antimicrobial characteristics, oats and barley simultaneously provide the body with a source of fiber.

Studies show mushrooms can be particularly helpful in boosting immune function. The Huffington Post published that mushrooms “increase the production of cytokines, which are cells that help fight off infection. They also contain polysaccharides, which are compounds that support the immune system.”

Aloe vera, ginseng, and ginger prove useful in maintaining health.

Ginger often acts as a natural pain and fever reducer. Aloe vera is used for a myriad of ailments including, but not limited to, inflammation, provision of minerals, regulation of energy, healthy digestion, and, once again, immune function.

WebMD Health News recently reported that “two trials have shown that in healthy volunteers who take ginseng, certain immune cells are more numerous or more active than in people who take a placebo, or sugar pill.”

Yogurt helps maintain health through probiotics, which are live bacteria and yeasts that improve digestive function. The live bacteria work with the body to keep the digestive system free of disease and other potentially harmful afflictions.

Eating healthy is enough of a concern for college students without all these extra recommendations. Many may wonder how they could incorporate some of these foods into their diet.

For starters, perhaps ask for some extra ginger in the sushi line at Kessel Student Center. Pick up a yogurt with your breakfast or as a snack. Add mushrooms, tomatoes, and or peppers to your omelette at the grill. Trade that coffee for tea with honey.

The choice is up to the individual.

Be sure not to forget that these foods are a natural way to keep the immune system healthy, not a means of curing a cold or flu. Students and faculty should visit Health Services or their primary care physician if they are feeling unwell.