Ways To Win The Cold War And Beat Off Other Bugs This Winter

Honey: a daily dose of honey can cut the duration of your cold by up to two days, according to an Iranian study. It found that patients who took 57g of honey- the equivalent of four tablespoons- recovered far quicker than those on traditional remedies. Spread the sweet stuff on wholemeal toast or add it to a smoothie for a health hit.

Chicken soup: this is one old wives the tale that’s rooted in fact. A bowl of hot chicken soup reduces head-cold congestion because of its anti-inflammatory properties, according to a study from the University of Nebraska. The vapour helps clear your nasal passage, while the liquid rehydrates you and the chicken provides cell-boosting protein.

Garlic: allicin, an active component in garlic, can reduce your risk of catching cold by more than half, according to a UK study of 150 people. It also helps patients recover more quickly. It’s better to take a supplement than to add garlic to every meal, or it’ll be more than just the cold that stays away.

Echinacea: a dose of Echinacea- available from most health food stores- can prevent the risk of a cold by 58 per cent and reduce the duration of illness by 36 hours, according to a University of Connecticut review of more than a dozen European studies.