WINTER BRINGS A WHOLE HOST OF BUGS to dodge at a time when our immune systems are feeling the strain. Vitamin D levels can plummet (the sun’s UV rays are too weak in this country during winter), causing tiredness, and we’re usually drinking more – a study from the University of Maryland in the US revealed that just one night of heavy drinking can weaken immunity for 24 hours. If you’ve taken a course of antibiotics, your gut microbiome, which underpins our immunity, will be under attack, too. Add in poorer food choices (mulled wine, sausage roll and afterparty takeaway, anyone?) – not to mention those pesky commuters and colleagues spreading their germs – and you can see why so many of us end up taking to our beds instead of having fun.
Here’s what the experts recommend to help insure against that dreaded Christmas washout…