The flu season is upon us. I hope you got your flu shot but that doesn’t always work. There may be new flu strains that are out to get us! What can you do to increase the odds that you will avoid the flu this year? The answer – eat more apples!

Apples contain quercetin, a phytochemical or nutrient that in essence creates “food as medicine.” Quercetin promotes health in many ways. It improves cardiovascular health and reduces several cancer risks. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Quercetin has strong antioxidant activity that fights the free radicals in our bodies. Free radicals come from environmental factors such as pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke and herbicides. They wreak havoc on our healthy cells. They can cause disease and make us age more quickly.

Other foods that contain quercetin are tea, onion, nuts, berries, cauliflower and cabbage. In order to get these nourishing antioxidants and other essential nutrients, eat five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Here’s a tasty salad from href=”http://www.hy-veeheal...> www.hy-veehealth.com.>