5 Foods That Are Perfect for Immunity Building!

The primary reason why some people fall sick very often is their weakened immune system. Your immune system is a protective layer made up of a complex network of cells and proteins that defend and protect the body against infection-causing germs and pathogens. One of the most effective ways of strengthening your immune system is through the food you eat. If you feel your food lacks essential nutrients that are important to strengthen your immune response, don’t worry as we will help you plan your meals to include these 5 immune boosters.

Foods That Boost The Immune System

 A healthy, balanced diet is instrumental in keeping your body and mind healthy. It helps to improve the body’s immune response to infectious pathogens and germs. Your meals should ideally consist of foods that contain essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants such as vitamin C, D, E, zinc, carotenoids, and omega-3 fatty acids. These foods not only boost the immune system but also keep symptoms of cold, cough, and flu at bay.

Herbs and spices

For many centuries now, herbs and spices have been used as remedies for different ailments, ranging from cold, cough, flu to stomach problems. They add flavour to the food we eat and contain essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which help boost the immune system and fasten the recovery process when one is sick.

Turmeric, ginger and garlic are a few examples of spices that are known to bolster the immune system. Turmeric contains curcumin, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and antioxidant properties. That is why turmeric mixed with warm milk is a popular and effective remedy for cough and cold.

Ginger contains a bioactive compound known as gingerol, which makes it an effective remedy for prevention of colds, cough and other inflammatory illnesses. At the same time, garlic contains allicin, which prevents all sorts of fungal and bacterial infections, all in all strengthening the immunity.

Herbs like ginseng, thyme, parsley, ashwagandha, among others also have therapeutic effects on the immune system that help fight different bacterial and viral infections. A 2021 report published in the Phytomedicine Journal indicates how herbs have medicinal properties that help to strengthen the immunity to fight severe viral infections like COVID-19.

Nuts and seeds

Nuts and seeds are superfoods that aid in boosting immunity. That is why nutritionists emphasize adding a healthy mix of dates, apricots, almonds, pine nuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and groundnuts among other things to your diet to lead a healthier life. These are proven to be rich in omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, magnesium, and other essential nutrients that help boost immunity and in the absorption of fat soluble vitamins like vitamin A, D, E and K.

Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits like sweet lime, lemons, orange, grapefruit, citron, sudachi, yuzu, pomelos, among others are rich in vitamin C, a nutrient that is known to strengthen the immune system and keep the skin ever-youthful and supple. They are also known to be rich in other forms of vitamin and minerals that the body needs from time to time to function efficiently. These include potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and the like. Moreover, they contain plant compounds like flavonoids, essential oils, and carotenoids that are known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties.

Fish and Poultry

When it comes to immunity-boosting foods, those that are rich in healthy fats and protein definitely take centre stage. That is when foods like seafood and poultry come into the picture. We all know how a bowl of chicken soup immediately comes to the rescue when you are down with cold or flu. The soup is known to reduce inflammation and instantly improve cold or sore-throat symptoms.

Poultry such as chicken and turkey are known to be rich in vitamin B-6 - a nutrient that plays a very significant role in the formation of healthy red blood cells. The broth or stock of chicken is also considered to be nutritious. It contains chondroitin and gelatin, which help in healing the gut and boosting the immunity.  

On the other hand, fish and seafood are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which is vital in supporting the immune system by bolstering the function of immune cells like B cells, a certain kind of white blood cells. Seafood like crabs, oysters, mussels and lobster are also important for immunity as they are rich sources of zinc.

Green Tea

If you are looking for a herbal immunity booster, then green tea is the perfect choice for you. Green tea is a rich source of phenolics and antioxidants that help in boosting the immune system and in protecting the body from harmful pathogens and infections associated with cold and other respiratory issues. There’s a wide range of green tea for you to choose from- such as turmeric, ginger, peppermint, licorice root, chamomile, lemongrass, and hibiscus teas, to name a few.

Final Takeaway

These are just a few variations of immunity boosting foods that you must include as a part of your daily diet. Other immunity boosting foods include antioxidant-rich fruits like papaya, blueberries, kiwis, and green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, spirulina, and the like. Other vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, etc, are also known to improve immunity levels in the body.

If your food doesn’t provide enough nutrients to support your immune system, consult your regular health practitioner to include supplements to your diet. You can try out Well Being Nutrition’s Daily Greens, Grandma’s Kadha, Vitamin D3 Melts and Vegan Vitamin B12 Melts for a proper nutrition boost. These products will definitely help strengthen your immune system!

References:

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●    https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/331960/nutrients
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