Eating pickled radish can prevent H7N9 flu

Japanese scientists have said that a type of bacteria in salt beet can prevent H7N9 flu.

Japanese salt can prevent H7N9 flu.

Published in the book Letters in Applied Microbiology , this study shows that when used as a food for mice, the bacterium Lactobacillus brevis in Japanese pickled radish (suguki) can help mice not infected with the flu.

Researchers are working on a probiotic drink made from suguki in the hope of bringing similar results on humans.

Bacteria in Japanese pickled radish will put the body's immune system into "accelerating" mode, which helps increase production of flu antibodies. Researchers also hope that suguki can be used to protect people against the dangerous H7N9 flu spreading in China.