Following a calorie-controlled diet places individuals at greater risk of coming down with influenza by impairing their immune system.

Despite the general belief, a new study shows that individuals running a fever should eat well as it is harder for those following a strict diet to fight infection.
According to the study published in the Journal of Nutrition, calorie-controlled diets lower the individuals ability to fight various infections particularly the flu virus.

The study found that mice following calorie-restricted diets are more likely to lose weight, show other symptoms of poor health and die because of infection regardless of their vitamin intake. The recovery period was also longer in these mice.

Scientists urge individuals to adopt a healthy diet especially in the colder months of the year in order to be able to fight possible infections.