Help stave off the 'sickness for all seasons'

When winter is in full force, you almost expect to catch a few colds. But, with August temperatures reaching the upper 80s on an almost daily basis, a sniffle in the summer seems altogether unusual -- not to mention unfair.

Nevertheless, as evidenced by a pretty nasty three-day man cold I got hammered with back in early July, it's abundantly clear colds -- though more prevalent during colder months -- are a sickness for all seasons. Fortunately, there are some dietary steps we can take target-harden ourselves against illness. Here are just a few I felt were worth mentioning.

Yogurt - A study showed that people who ate three-quarters of a cup of yogurt daily for a year had 25 percent fewer colds than those who didn't. Because it contains probiotics, yogurt helps strengthen the immune system.

Red Bell Pepper - With 130mg more vitamin C than an orange, red bell pepper is a great source for this cold-fighting nutrient.

Eggs - High in B vitamins, zinc, and amino acids, eggs boost white blood cell count and antibodies, which the body needs to stave off illness.

Ginger - Many cultures consider ginger to be a panacea for colds. Researchers say that fresh ginger may help fight viruses by helping the body sweat out toxins.

Garlic - Immune-strengthening, sulfur-based compounds contained in garlic may help the body stay free of infection.

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