Classic English Curio
增強免疫系統是維持健康的關鍵,良好的免疫力能幫助我們抵禦病毒與細菌的侵害,降低生病的風險。透過均衡飲食、規律運動、充足睡眠與減少壓力,我們可以有效提升免疫功能。此外,攝取維生素 C、D、鋅等營養素,以及保持良好衛生習慣,也能進一步強化身體的防禦機制。培養健康的生活方式,讓免疫系統發揮最佳效能,是維持長期健康的不二法門。一起來聽聽 BBC 6 分鐘英語對這個話題的討論。
Can we boost the immune system? 我們可以增強免疫系統嗎?
BBC 6 分鐘英語在 2025 年 03 月 27 日播出的節目 中討論的是我們可以增強免疫系統嗎?
薑片、薑黃和冷水游泳可以增強您的免疫系統嗎?BBC 6 分鐘英語的主持人喬琪和尼爾將討論這個問題。同時和往常一樣,節目主持人也會教導聽眾一些相關詞彙與表達方式。
本周的問題
英國成年人平均每年會感冒多少次?
a) 2-3
b) 4-5
c) 7-8
詞彙
touch wood 觸木
在英語口語中為避免厄運而使用的一種表達方式
snuffles/sniffles 鼻塞/流鼻涕
影響鼻子的小疾病
back me up 支持我
在會話中用來要求別人說一些話來支持您的意見的表達方式
tickety-boo
井井有條
dampen (something) 潤濕
使某事物變弱
prone to (something) 易受影響
容易受到某事物的負面影響
中英文稿謄本
點此看英文原稿
Georgie
Hello, this is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Georgie.
Neil
And I'm Neil. In this programme we're talking about the immune system, which is the body's natural defence against getting ill. Now, Georgie, is there anything you do to boost your immune system?
Georgie
Yes. I try to eat lots of oranges, which apparently have lots of vitamin C, and there are lots of things people do to try to improve their immune system, and stay healthier, like eating certain foods, taking vitamins, or even activities like swimming in cold water. We'll find out how useful some of these techniques are in today's programme.
Neil
But first, Georgie, a question. We all know the common cold – now, that’s the illness that makes you cough and sneeze, have a sore throat and headache. But how many colds does the average adult get in the UK each year? Is it:
a) 2-3?
b) 4-5? Or
c) 7-8?
Georgie
Eight would be a lot. I'm going to go with a) 2-3 colds a year.
Neil
Well, we'll find out at the end of the programme if you're right. Now, many people can become ill over the winter with diseases like colds, flu and Covid-19. Host of BBC Radio 4 programme Inside Health, James Gallagher, gathered some experts to talk about immune systems, and he started off by asking whether they'd had more illnesses than usual this winter.
James Gallagher
Hello! [Hi.] Right, how has everyone been this winter? Because I've had a rotten one and I have felt constantly ill since about November. John?
John Tregoning
I have not had anything yet, touch wood.
James Gallagher
OK, let's see what I can infect you with by the end of the show. Margaret?
Margaret McCartney
I was pretty unwell in September. I had what I presume to be Covid. But I've been alright since, mild snuffles aside.
James Gallagher
Eleanor, I really need someone to back me up.
Eleanor Riley
No, sorry, I've been absolutely 100% tickety-boo.
Georgie
Unlike James, Professor John Tregoning hasn't been ill. John uses the expression touch wood, which is an informal phrase said in order to avoid bad luck.
Neil
Doctor Margaret McCartney was unwell in September but has only had a few snuffles since. Snuffles is an informal word used to describe minor illnesses that affect your nose. We can also say sniffles.
Georgie
Host James is surprised that nobody has been ill, and says to Professor Eleanor Riley 'back me up'. If you ask someone to back you up, you are asking for them to say something which supports your opinion.
Neil
But Eleanor has had a healthy winter too. She's been tickety-boo, which is an informal phrase meaning everything's fine or in good order.
Georgie
Throughout the winter, many people try different techniques, like taking supplements or eating certain foods to boost their immune system, to improve their body's natural defences against disease. Host of BBC Radio 4's Inside Health James Gallagher asks doctor Margaret McCartney whether some of these products are successful.
James Gallagher
OK quick-fire round Margaret. Echinacea?
Margaret McCartney
No.
James Gallagher
Turmeric?
Margaret McCartney
No.
James Gallagher
Ginger shots?
Margaret McCartney
No.
James Gallagher
This is a very, very good quiz! What about the stuff you squirt up your nose when you're at the beginning of an infection?
Margaret McCartney
Interesting, but not any better than normal saline spray – just salt water.
Neil
In fact, according to Margaret, there isn't enough evidence that many popular health products can actually change the way your immune system works.
Georgie
Another popular health trend in the UK is cold water swimming. People who swim in cold water say it's good for their mental health, and they also believe it makes them less likely to get ill during the winter months.
Neil
But scientists aren't sure about the benefits of cold water swimming for the immune system yet, as Professor John Tregoning explains to BBC Radio 4’s Inside Health.
John Tregoning
The social element actually is really important. It probably is beneficial to do. You reduce stress and cortisol dampens the immune system, so actually if you're stressed then maybe you are more prone to infection. And that may be why that benefit of being with people, nice people that you like in nice places, is helping. But I don’t think it's unique to cold water swimming. I think you could probably get it from dancing or singing or going for a run.
Georgie
John says that cortisol, a chemical associated with stress, dampens the immune system. Here, dampens means makes weaker. We also have a common expression 'dampen someone’s spirits' which means to make them less enthusiastic about something.
Neil
John says that there is evidence that people who are stressed are more prone to infection. If you're more prone to something, it’s more likely to happen to you.
Georgie
It could be that cold water swimming reduces stress, and so it helps people’s immune systems work well. But there are lots of other activities that could have the same effect, and help people have fewer colds over winter.
Neil
Which reminds me of my question, Georgie. I asked how many colds the average UK adult has a year.
Georgie
And I said 2-3.
Neil
And that is the correct answer, so well done!
Georgie
Thank you! OK, let's recap the vocabulary we've learned, starting with touch wood, which is an expression used, often in speech, to avoid bad luck.
Neil
Snuffles, or sniffles, are minor illnesses that affect your nose.
Georgie
If you ask someone to back you up, you want them to say something to support your opinion.
Neil
The expression tickety-boo means fine and in good order.
Georgie
If you dampen something you make it weaker. And the expression dampen someone's spirits means you make them less enthusiastic about something.
Neil
And if you're more prone to something, it's more likely to happen to you.
Georgie
Once again our 6 minutes are up, but you can test what you've learned with the free interactive quiz on our website.
Neil
Bye for now.
Georgie
Goodbye!
Beth
Thanks for listening to this podcast from BBC Learning English. Continue your learning on our website with courses, quizzes and programmes to improve your English. Visit bbclearningenglish.com.
廣播原稿中文翻譯有兩個目的。首先是幫助聽力有困難的讀者能夠快速了解原文的意思。而更重要的原因是,提供給練習英語口語表達的讀者訓練的素材。
由於每個人的知識範疇各不相同,因此碰到超出自己專長的領域,常常會啞口無言,無話可說。這對練習英語表達是一項非常難以克服的障礙。所以參考 6 分鐘英語的對白稿,既可以讓自我練習英語對話時有貼切適當的素材,同時也能順便學些道地的表達方式,實是一舉數得。
使用上,可以在聽完一、兩次原始廣播之後,試著一邊看中文謄本,一邊流利、正確地用英語說出文中的內容。多次練習之後,未來自然能夠在碰到同樣主題時與人侃侃而談。
點此看中文翻譯
喬琪
您好,這裡是 BBC 學習英語的六分鐘英語,我是喬琪。
尼爾
我是尼爾。在這個節目中,我們將討論免疫系統,它是人體抵抗疾病的天然防線。喬琪,你有做什麼來增強你的免疫系統嗎?
喬琪
我嘗試吃很多橘子,因為橘子含有大量的維他命 C,人們也會做很多事情來提高免疫系統,讓身體更健康,例如吃某些食物、服用維他命,甚至是在冷水中游泳等活動。在今天的節目中,我們將看看這些技巧有多大用處。
內爾
但首先,喬琪,有一個問題。我們都知道普通感冒——就是會讓您咳嗽、打噴嚏、喉嚨痛和頭痛的疾病。但英國成年人平均每年會得多少次感冒?是
a) 2-3?
b) 4-5? 或
c) 7-8?
喬琪
八次就太多了。我選 a) 一年感冒 2-3 次。
尼爾
好的,我們會在節目結束時知道你是否正確。現在,很多人在冬天都可能會患上感冒、流感和 Covid-19 等疾病。BBC Radio 4 節目《Inside Health》的主持人詹姆斯-蓋拉格召集了一些專家來討論免疫系統,他一開始就問他們今年冬天的病症是否比往常多。
詹姆斯-蓋拉格
你好! [嗨] 對了,大家今年冬天過得如何?因為我這個冬天過得很糟糕,大概從十一月開始,我就一直覺得不舒服。約翰?
John Tregoning
我還沒有得過什麼病,摸摸木頭.......
詹姆斯-蓋拉格
好吧,讓我們看看在節目結束前我能把什麼傳染給你。瑪格麗特?
瑪格麗特-麥卡特尼
九月份的時候我身體很不舒服。我得了一種我猜是 Covid 的病。但之後我就沒事了,除了輕微的鼻炎 。
詹姆斯-蓋拉格
埃莉諾,我真的需要有人支持我。
埃莉諾-萊利
不,對不起,我絕對是百分百的健康。
喬琪
與詹姆斯不同,John Tregoning 教授並沒有生病。John用了 touch wood 這個詞,這是一個非正式的詞組,用來避免厄運。
尼爾
瑪格麗特-麥卡特尼醫生在九月份身體不適,但之後只出過幾次鼻竇炎。Snuffles 是一個非正式的詞語,用來形容影響鼻子的小病。我們也可以說 sniffles.
喬琪
主持人詹姆斯對於沒有人生病感到很驚訝,他對埃莉諾-萊利教授說「幫幫我」。如果您請求某人支持您,您就是請求他說一些支持您觀點的話。
尼爾
但埃莉諾也有一個健康的冬天。She's been tickety-boo, 這是一個非正式的短語,意思是一切都很好或秩序井然。
喬琪
在整個冬天,許多人都會嘗試不同的方法,例如服用補充劑或進食某些食物來增強免疫系統,以改善身體對疾病的天然防禦能力。BBC Radio 4 的 Inside Health 節目主持人詹姆斯-蓋拉格詢問醫生瑪格麗特-麥卡特尼,其中有些產品是否有用。
James Gallagher
好的,瑪格麗特。紫錐花?
瑪格麗特-麥卡特尼
沒有。
詹姆斯-蓋拉格
薑黃?
瑪格麗特-麥卡特尼
沒有。
詹姆斯-蓋拉格
姜汁?
瑪格麗特-麥卡特尼
沒有。
詹姆斯-蓋拉格
這是一個非常非常好的測驗!在感染初期往鼻子裡噴的東西是什麼?
瑪格麗特-麥卡特尼
很有趣,但不比一般鹽水噴霧好多少——只是鹽水而已。
尼爾
事實上,根據瑪格麗特的說法,並沒有足夠證據顯示許多受歡迎的健康產品確實可以改變免疫系統的運作方式。
喬琪
英國另一種流行的健康趨勢是冷水游泳。在冷水中游泳的人說這對他們的心理健康很有幫助,而且他們也相信這會讓他們在冬天的幾個月中不那麼容易生病。
尼爾
但是科學家還不確定冷水游泳對免疫系統的益處,John Tregoning 教授向 BBC Radio 4 的 Inside Health 解釋了這一點。
John Tregoning
社交元素其實真的很重要。這可能是有益的。您可以減輕壓力,而皮質醇會抑制免疫系統,因此如果您壓力過大,可能會更容易受到感染。這可能就是為什麼與人相處的好處,在好的地方與你喜歡的好人相處,是有幫助的。但我不認為這是冷水游泳所獨有的。我認為跳舞、唱歌或跑步也可能會有幫助。
喬琪
John 說皮質醇,一種與壓力有關的化學物質,會抑制免疫系統。在這裡,dampens的意思是使免疫系統變弱。我們也有一個常見的表達方式 'dampen someone's spirits',意思是讓他們對某件事情失去熱情。
尼爾
John 說有證據顯示,壓力大的人更容易受到感染。如果您更容易感染某種疾病,它就更有可能發生在您身上。
喬琪
可能是冷水游泳能減輕壓力,所以能幫助人們的免疫系統良好運作。但是還有很多其他的活動也有同樣的效果,可以幫助人們在冬天減少感冒。
尼爾
這讓我想起我的問題,喬琪。我問到英國成年人平均一年會感冒多少次?
喬琪
我說 2-3 次。
尼爾
這是正確答案,答得好!
喬琪
謝謝!好了,讓我們來重溫一下我們所學過的詞彙,從 touch wood 開始,這是一個用來避免厄運的表達方式,通常用在說話中。
尼爾
Snuffles 或 sniffles 是影響鼻子的小疾病。
喬琪
如果您請求某人支持您,您希望他說一些話來支持您的意見。
尼爾
tickety-boo 這個詞的意思是很好,秩序良好。
喬琪
如果你打擊某個東西,就會令它變弱。而 dampen someone's spirits(打擊某人的興致)一詞的意思是你使他們對某件事變得不那麼熱衷。
尼爾
如果你更容易發生什麼事,它就更有可能發生在你身上。
喬琪
我們的六分鐘時間再一次結束了,但是您可以在我們的網站上進行免費的互動測驗,測試一下您所學到的知識。
尼爾
再見!
喬琪
再見!
貝絲
感謝收聽 BBC Learning English 的播客。請繼續在我們的網站上學習課程、測驗和節目,以提高您的英語水準。請造訪 bbclearningenglish.com。再見。
About the author
化工博士卻因強烈興趣而投身英語教學,累積超過 30 年的經驗,謝忠理以理工思維突破英語教學迷思,研發專門針對華人的教學方法,自成體系,主攻字彙、文法、閱讀、寫作。教學科目涵蓋 GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, ACT 及實力養成課程,強調實力與分數並進。上課認真嚴肅,下課和藹可親,思緒周密,喜論理,如其名。
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