5 Foods That Boost Your Immune System
While we continue to struggle through the colder months, it can seem like we’re picking up one bug after another, with little respite in between. This time of year is cold and flu central, so it’s nice to be able to give our immune systems a little helping hand to get through the worst of it. Having your immune in tip top condition is important to stave off the insurgence of germs and virus, and it can make a huge difference to the severity of the symptoms if you do end up getting sick.
If you want to fortify your immune system, try adding some or all of these foods into your diet.
Citrus fruit
The most obvious (and most delicious) way to fill your body full of immunizing vitamin C is to pump it full of citrus fruit. Vitamin C is thought to boost your body’s white blood cell production, and they’re the little guys who fight viruses and bacteria to the death, so the more the merrier. Try to get as many oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and limes into your diet as you can without your teeth falling apart, and your immune system is going to be a whole lot stronger than it was before.
Garlic
If you’re a fan of the delicious flavor of garlic, this one is for you. It’s full of sulfurous compounds which are great for helping your immune system fight bugs. It’s also important for fighting high blood pressure and keeping cholesterol down. Also, it’s in almost all savory meals, isn’t it?
Apple cider vinegar
Nobody particularly wants to take a spoonful of apple cider vinegar every day, although many immunologists recommend it for its bacteria-fighting properties. Rather than administering is by the spoonful, it’s a great ingredient to use in other food and drinks, which usually masks the flavor a bit. Check out https://defendyourhealthcare.us/4-delicious-apple-cider-vinegar-drink-recipes for some great recipe ideas, and enjoy all the health benefits with none of the flavor.
Ginger
Just like oranges, we often turn to ginger when we feel ourselves coming down with something. As they say, prevention is better than the cure, so try to include ginger in your diet more often to help avoid coming down with something in the first place. Not only is it great for giving your immune system a bit of a boost, but it also has cholesterol lowering abilities, and some people even swear by it for the treatment of chronic pain symptoms.
Yogurt
More than just a breakfast food, yogurt is a seriously impressive probiotic. This means it keeps all of the good bacteria in your gut healthy, enabling it to digest food effectively and keep you healthy. It’s also chock full of vitamin D, which our bodies need to regulate our immune system and keep it boosted against diseases. Try to choose yogurts that are fortified with vitamin D to get the best effects.
Other green veggies such as broccoli and spinach are also great for keeping your immune system in tip-top condition – why not try making a smoothie with some of the above ingredients?
