Studies Show Spicy Asian Food Is The Best Cure For The Common Cold

Feeling down with a cold? Get yourself some hot Korean gochujang soup!

Recent studies find that it’s best to serve them spicy, warm broths or spicy sauces in order to effectively relieve their cold symptoms.

“Capsaicin, which is found in hot peppers, has been shown to have antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.” — Lisa Cohn, Registered Dietician

Capsaicin can be found in Korean hot peppers and other cuisines, such as Thai and Indian. A bite of the food made from this spice can help clear the nasal airways, making it a very effective decongestant.

Try to whip up some Korean Gochujang Soup or Spicy Thai Coconut Soup to help chase the bad cold away.

Korean Gochujang Soup.

Garlic, which is a staple in Asian cuisine, has also been scientifically found to relieve cold and flu symptoms and improve immune cell function.

Spicy garlic fried chicken (kkanpungi) may be a good option for dinner when you’ve got the cold as well!

Kkanppunggi.

Other Asian spices like caraway, cumin, anise, turmeric, cardamom, and mustard seed are full of zinc, which has been found to help minimize the severity of the common cold.

Classic Asian spices.

Now you know what to cook your friends and family to keep them well-fed and on the mend!

Source: NCBI and NCBI
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