Skip to content
How can your Diet Boost your Immunity …let’s find out!
How can your Diet Boost your Immunity …let’s find out!
While no food offers a guaranteed cure or protection from disease, certain foods may give your immune system a boost to work effectively and efficiently against colds, the flu and other infections.
-
Immunity-boosting foods give your body a fighting chance against illness.
-
Incorporating a variety of nutrient-rich foods helps your immune system function effectively.
-
Sugar, caffeine and alcohol may weaken the immune system.
Try incorporating more of these foods in your diet:
-
Citrus fruits. These refreshing foods – such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes – are an excellent source of vitamin C, which increases your body’s production of infection-fighting white blood cells. Your body can’t produce or store vitamin C, so it’s important to eat foods daily that provide this nutrient. The recommended daily amount (RDA) for women is 75 mg; for men, it’s 90 mg. This translates to approximately a ½ cup of orange juice.
-
Red bell peppers. This crunchy veggie is rich in vitamin C, with nearly 3 times the amount you’ll find in a small-sized orange. it’s also packed with beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A – a nutrient that helps keep the eyes and skin healthy.
-
Broccoli. Broccoli is high in vitamins A and C. It also is packed with vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps destroy cell-damaging free radicals and is an excellent source of fiber.
-
Spinach. The superfood is rich in vitamin C, antioxidants and beta-carotene – all of which help boost the immune system.
-
Yogurt. The live and active cultures, also known as probiotics, are believed to stimulate the immune system and maintain digestive system function. It also is a good source of vitamin D, which helps regulate the body’s natural defenses against disease.
-
Sunflower seeds and almonds. Both contain vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant that increases the activity of immune cells and helps the body fight bacteria and viruses. An ounce of sunflower seeds (1/4 cup) provides about half of the daily recommended amount (DRA) for vitamin E, while the same portion of almonds equals 45% of the daily goal. Both are excellent additions to any smoothie or salad.
-
Shellfish. Zinc helps immune cells work properly, but just like vitamin C, your body can’t make or store it so incorporating it daily is important. Shellfish, such as a oysters, crabs, lobster and mussels, are a great source of this nutrient.
-
Tea. White, green or black, this relaxing beverage, served hot or on ice, contains disease-fighting polyphenols and flavonoids that detect and destroy free radicals – substances that can destroy healthy cells.
-
Sweet potatoes and carrots. Rich in beta-carotene, these foods help build up the mucous membranes lining the respiratory tract, a first line of defense against germs.
-
Dark Chocolate. If you ever needed an excuse to treat yourself, here it is: Dark chocolate is believed to offer a plentiful supply of theobromine, an antioxidant that may relieve coughing.
Resources:
Page load link
