Sinus-Busting Superfoods: The 9 Best Superfoods for Sinus Infection

Taking superfoods for sinus infection is one of those health maintenance methods that we often don’t think about because of its subtle effect.

Superfoods have become a buzzword in the past decade or so. People are now more educated about what goes into their food and are looking for ways to maximize their health and nutrition. The best superfoods and supplements have been shown to provide significant health benefits. Superfood benefits from having higher levels of nutrients and antioxidants than most other foods, which means they can reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity.

But that’s not all. Superfood benefits also extend to your mental health and sense of well-being—which also includes keeping your sinus infection under check.

And this is what we will cover in the article. We will tell you about the nine best superfoods to nip your sinus infections in the bud.

What Are Superfoods?

Have you ever been told that “you are what you eat”?

It turns out that statement isn't just figurative. When we eat poorly, we notice changes in our bodies that correspond to our diets. Weight gain, acne, and health conditions like heart disease or diabetes, are all symptoms of a poor diet that is not supportive of the functions the human body carries out on a daily basis.

“Superfood” is a recently coined term among health enthusiasts worldwide. Basically, a superfood is a food that offers more nutritional value but fewer calories. Superfoods are full of vitamins and minerals that our bodies need to keep going when we have a lot going on. 

Superfoods do not necessarily share the same attributes, but rather they are all highly nutritionally beneficial compared to other foods. The most commonly seen superfoods are categorized as fruits, vegetables, and lentils. Most superfoods are at their maximum potential in their raw state but cooking them won't make them less healthy for you. 

There have been claims that superfoods are simply a marketing scheme created to sell produce at higher prices as demand grows, but there is no denying the bodily benefits that can be reaped from incorporating them into a healthy diet. While scientists agree that these foods are not inherently better than others, they do agree that they are all nutrient-dense and necessary to stay healthy.

Why Are Superfoods Helpful?

You've probably been eating superfoods your whole life without realizing it.

Some of the most common fruits, like bananas, apples, and berries, are categorized as superfoods. This is because they are so thoroughly beneficial when eaten, and they don't contain any empty calories. Each bite is as advantageous as it is delicious.

Superfoods are beneficial to us because they help our bodies function better. When fueled properly, our bodies are better at protecting us from diseases and healing wounds. Superfoods also promote gut health, which means our metabolisms are stabilized and our digestive systems work more smoothly. 

Superfoods help our bodies reach their full potential. They make the most of the energy we have to help our bodies do things like make new cells.

The immune system is delicate and is easily disrupted. When consumed regularly, superfoods can help prevent infection and help the body recover when sick or injured. These foods are full of healthy fats, fiber, and protein—compounds that give the body more energy and keep the stomach feeling satisfied for a longer period of time.

Top Nine Superfoods to Help Relieve Conjestion and Inflammation

1. Ensō Supergreens

Dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, and arugula are full of vitamin K, which aids the process of blood coagulation and is good for bone formation and health. They also tend to be high in antioxidants, vitamin C, calcium, and vitamin D. 

Ensō Supergreens is a conglomeration of nutritional greens in a powdered form. Its key components are chlorella, spirulina, and kale. Chlorella and spirulina both supply the body with vitamins A, B, and C. 

Vitamin A has antioxidant properties and helps with cell division, reproduction, growth, and immunity. It also fosters white blood cell growth, which is largely important in fighting off disease. Oxidation damage can perpetuate sinus issues. Vitamin B speeds up the metabolism and helps the body get energy from food that is broken down in the digestive system.

Antioxidants protect the body from particles known as free radicals that come from pollutants in the air like cigarette smoke or radiation. They also help protect the mucous membrane. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that boosts the immune system and repairs damage to all tissues in the body.

Try blending one scoop of Ensō Supergreens into a breakfast smoothie, or even mixing it with a plain glass of water. These greens will pack a punch to invigorate your immune system while you're on the mend without the gritty texture most powders on the market have.

2. Avocadoes

Avocadoes have had a recent debut as a superfood because they are extremely nutrient-dense. Not only do they contain some of the healthiest fats that help lower bad cholesterol, but monounsaturated fats also comprise over half of the fat content of avocados. 

Furthermore, avocados can be added to virtually anything. Toast, bagels, salads, and eggs are all examples of meals you're already eating that can incorporate avocado. 

3. Garlic

Garlic has historically been associated with cardiovascular health. Garlic can lower cholesterol and blood pressure and has even been thought to cure the uncurable - the common cold. Garlic has the power to decrease pain, and reduce swelling, which speeds up the healing process.

Garlic contains a substance called allicin, which has antibacterial and antiviral properties. This compound is what gives garlic its famous smell. Allicin is known to appease inflammatory responses to illness. It also blocks free radicals from entering the body and damaging tissue or cells.

One to two cloves of garlic a day is recommended for adults, but there are no real bad side effects to consuming garlic in moderation, other than bad breath! Garlic is another food that can be included in nearly every meal. Garlic is usually minced to add flavor to other foods.

4. Berries

Blackberries, strawberries, and blueberries are all fantastic sources of fiber and vitamin C. They also contain flavonoids and potassium. Flavonoids are a class of plant compounds typically found in fruits or vegetables with a saturated color. They have antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that will aid your body's immune system in fighting infection.

Potassium is important during the healing process because it helps to ease blood vessels and arteries. It helps to facilitate the flow of blood throughout the body, which is how superfoods are able to lower blood pressure. 

5. Peppers

Peppers are a colorful, low-calorie option for nutritional supplementation while adding flavor to a dish. More importantly, they're known to clear congested airways. Red, green, and yellow bell peppers alike possess beta carotene and vitamin A. Green peppers not only contain iron but also vitamin C, which helps the body absorb iron.

Iron is part of a protein called hemoglobin in red blood cells that deliver oxygen to the heart, lungs, and brain. When the body is low on iron, it produces fewer blood cells, which means less oxygen gets around the body. This leads to fatigue.

Spicy peppers like jalapenos and chilis contain the compound capsaicin, which is what makes them hot. Interestingly enough, many over-the-counter remedies contain capsaicin because of its pain-relieving abilities, despite the burning sensation felt when eating peppers.

6. Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are small seeds derived from the desert plant Salva Hispanica in Central America. They possess minerals such as zinc, magnesium, phosphorous, and iron. Chia seeds are a low-calorie food once thought to be a fundamental part of the ancient Aztec diet. 

Chia seeds are good to eat in their raw form. They can be sprinkled over a bowl of oatmeal or blended into a smoothie along with other superfoods like berries and leafy greens.

Chilling a scoop of chia seeds inside a small cup of plant-based milk overnight produces a pudding that is a nutritious addition to a healthy breakfast or can be sweetened and eaten as dessert.

7. Carrots

Carrots contain a substance known as beta-carotene. This compound is converted within the body into vitamin A with the help of zinc. These processes help to build immunity and prevent common respiratory infections. 

Carrots contain 210% of the recommended daily dose of vitamin A. Eating carrots can reduce the risk of cancer and keep the heart healthy. They are also great for maintaining cholesterol levels and controlling blood pressure. 

8. Ginger

Ginger, like garlic, is another flavorful ingredient that has anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains antihistamines. Histamines are behind the worst symptoms of a sinus infection—congestion, watery eyes, and sneezing. 

Raw ginger comes in root form but can be minced and added to meals. Ginger and turmeric tea is a particularly soothing concoction that speeds recovery. Consuming ginger also reaps benefits like improved gut health by increasing gastrointestinal motility—basically aiding the process of food exiting the digestive system.

9. Honey

Honey is a soothing addition to hot tea, oatmeal, and raw fruit. It eases throat pain and has natural antibacterial agents. The antibacterial properties in honey are strong enough to kill several common strains of sinus infection.

Eating honey regularly helps to prevent seasonal allergies and symptoms of infection. It's a valuable substitute for refined sugars that can agitate or inflame infections, and the best part is that it never goes bad. Old, crystallized honey can be heated at low temperatures and will return to its original, dewy state.

Are Superfoods Worth the Hype?

Whether superfoods inherently are better for you or not, they absolutely contain many, if not all, of the necessary nutrients required to keep the body's internal processes running. 

By guarding the immune system, they can keep afflictions like sinus and ear infections at bay. Adding superfoods to a diet is a healthy and positive way to try new things and experience different flavors while maintaining weight loss and other health goals. 

Take your health into your own hands and take advantage of the powerful superfoods at your disposal. Most of the foods listed in this article can be found at a local grocery store if they're not already in your refrigerator!