Boost Your Immune System for Winter

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Cold and flu season is officially here. While hand washing is one of the most important things you can do to keep from getting sick, giving your immune system a boost will also help you effectively fight off viruses. Here are some easy ways to keep the sniffles at bay.

Want to stay healthy all winter long? Follow these immunity-boosting tips … sip on tea, which contains polyphenols, a compound that enhances the effectiveness of white blood cells. People who drink five cups a day produce 10 times more interferon -- an immune-system protein. For an even bigger boost, stir in a tablespoon of honey, which has antibacterial properties.

A steamy love life can also ward off colds. People who have sex once or twice a week have 30-percent more immunoglobulin A, an antibody that fights infection.

Now you may have an excuse for that Facebook addiction. Carnegie Mellon researchers found people with a bigger group of friends produce more flu-resistant antibodies.

A good night sleep will also prevent you from getting sick. Research shows people who get less than seven hours of sleep a night are three-times more likely to develop the flu than those who sleep eight hours or more.