Winter Health Alert: Avoid These Cold Vegetables to Prevent Cough, Cold & Stomach Issues

• Consuming "cold potency" vegetables in winter can weaken immunity and exacerbate cough, cold, phlegm, and digestive problems.
• Limit or avoid bottle gourd (lauki) and ridge gourd (tori/turai) as they increase body coldness and risk of respiratory issues, especially for children and the elderly.
• Cucumber and other raw vegetables (cabbage, onion) can increase phlegm and cause digestive problems like gas and indigestion due to slower winter digestion.
• Pumpkin and brinjal (eggplant) are also considered cold-potency; pumpkin can increase lethargy, while brinjal may worsen allergies and cough for some.
• If consuming cold vegetables, cook them thoroughly with warming spices like ginger, garlic, and black pepper, and avoid them in the morning and at night.

Why It Matters: Prioritize warming foods in winter; avoid cold-potency vegetables to protect immunity and digestion.