Your body is a delicate machine, and the type of fuel and routine maintenance you give your body can have a profound impact on you for years to come. Listed below are nine foods that can help boost your immune system!
Citrus Fruits
Grapefruits, lemons, and oranges are full of Vitamin C. Vitamin C contribute to the healthy functions of many parts of your body. This includes the thyroid, which helps manage the rest of your body’s disease-fighting defenses amongst an array of other things.
Leafy Greens
Vegetables such as spinach and broccoli are powerful immune system boosters. They are packed with nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and E, and a host of antioxidants.
The best way to preserve these nutrients is to cook them as little as possible. Salads and green smoothies are great ways to add them to your diet. However, if you can’t stand raw greens, research shows that steaming them is the best option.
Nuts
Nuts like cashews and almonds are rich in Vitamin E, which helps regulate the immune system and protects cells from oxidation. They are also full of amino acids and antioxidants that support the immune system.
Yogurt
Your gut microbiome is where a lot of nutrition begins and ends, and it affects seemingly unrelated things all over your body. Yogurt contains many nutrients needed to promote a positive gut microbiome, which is an essential part of your overall health.
Root Vegetables
Root vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, turmeric contain vitamin A, which helps ensure that your body functions properly. In addition, turmeric contains curcumin, which has promising antiviral properties and helps protect against autoimmune disease responses.
Green Teas
Green tea and matcha are packed with flavonoids, a powerful antioxidant that protects cells and stimulates the immune system. Green Teas are also high in epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) as well as the amino acid L-Theanine. All of these together make green tea an anticancer, antifungal, and antivirus agent.
Seafood
Seafood, particularly shellfish, contains both zinc and selenium. Zinc in particular is a gatekeeper for immune system function. Be mindful of where your fish comes from, as seafood can contain mercury.
Chicken
Poultry is rich in vitamin B-6 and anti-inflammatories. In a study of critically ill patients, it was revealed B-6 played a huge role in increasing immune response. Broths or stock also contain gelatin and chondroitin as well as a healthy array of nutrients for your gut microbiome, which helps your body absorb the nutrients your immune system needs to function.
Grains
Like nuts, grains are rich in amino acids that create nitric oxide, a substance that supports immunity in cells. Whole grains also contain selenium, which boosts thyroid health, which further contributes to your immune system!
Your Diet Affects Your Immune System
Eating the right foods can boost your body’s natural ability to protect and heal itself when illnesses strike. Add these foods to your daily lineup to improve your immune system, along with all the organs and cells that support it.