To battle a cold and sore throat:
Eat more root vegetables, like carrots, beets, sweet potatoes and turnips. They contain powerful antioxidants that switch on enzymes that heal tissues and boost immunity. In fact, eating a half-cup of root vegetables a day can boost production of virus-attacking white blood cells by 53%! And you get a bonus with orange root vegetables like carrots and yams. Yale researchers say they contain beta-carotene that helps heal throat tissue damaged by acid reflux. So root vegetables can relieve your sore throat - from a cold and acid reflux.