During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to note that no diet, drug, or lifestyle can give you the full protection you need. Other than the social distancing and good hygiene practices there are so many immune system boosters that can help.
The immune system is made up of sensitive organs and cells and therefore needs the right immune system booster blend to stay healthy. This collection of tissues are responsible for the body processes that fight pathogens like bacteria, foreign bodies, and viruses that can produce disease and infections.
Including some foods in your daily diet is one way to strengthen your immune response. So, now is the best time to visit your nearest grocery store and plan your meal intake. Let’s read on to discover the foods that can improve your immune system.
#1. Citrus Fruits
This is a popular immune system booster. It contains vitamin C, and a lot of people have turned to it for the protection it gives from cold. Vitamin C helps to build your immune system and increase the production of white blood cells that fight bodily infections.
Examples of these popular citrus fruits are oranges, lemons, tangerines, limes, and clementines. Almost all of them are high in vitamin C. With several varieties to choose from, you can always have an immune system booster blend by mixing each of them. Your body doesn’t produce vitamin C, so you need all the quantity you can get to start healthy.
#2. Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate contains an antioxidant called theobromine that may help to improve the immune system. They protect the cells in your body from all free radicals. These free articles are produced by the body but only when it comes in contact with pollutants or while breaking down food.
They are harmful to the body and can lead to several diseases. Dark chocolate is also high in saturated fat and calories, so, you are advised to eat it in little quantity.
#3. Broccoli
Broccoli is super packed with a lot of minerals and vitamins like vitamins A, C, and E. They also contain fiber and many other antioxidants. It is one of the healthiest vegetables you can add as a side dish to your variety of meals.
#4. Kefir
Kefir is an immune system booster blend of fermented drink, produced from live cultures of bacteria good for your health. Research has shown that Kefir doesn’t just boost the immune system but can also help to reduce inflammation, fight off bacteria, and increase antioxidant activity in your body.
A lot of these research works were carried out using animals in a laboratory. Scientists are yet to perform more studies to identify and know the way Kefir works to prevent infections in man.
#5. Garlic
You can find garlic in any part of the world’s cuisine today. Apart from the fact that it adds its unique flavor to your food, it is also great for your immune system. Garlic is found in almost every cuisine in the world. It adds a little zing to food and it’s a must-have for your health.
It has proven to fight off infections and also slow down any sign of hardening in the arteries. Although not fully proven, there’s a little possibility that it helps to reduce blood pressure. Its immune-boosting properties contain a high level of sulfur-containing compounds, like allicin.
#6. Spinach
Spinach is a vegetable that is not just rich in vitamin C, but is also packed with different beta carotene and antioxidants. They both work to increase the infection-fighting ability of your body’s immune systems.
Similar to broccoli, spinach is also one of the healthiest meals when cooked for a little while to retain its nutrients and quality. Light cooking makes it easier and faster for other nutrients to be released from oxalic acid and absorb vitamin A.
#7. Almonds
Almonds are another set of immune system booster that fights off colds after vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant to a healthy immune system. It is also a fat-soluble vitamin that requires a sufficient amount of fat to absorb well. An example of almonds packed with a lot of vitamins and good fat is the nut.
#8. Green Tea
Several varieties of green and black teas are super packed with antioxidants, flavonoids. Green tea also has a good quantity of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which makes it a perfect immune system booster.
Conclusion
The key to proper nutrition is an immune system booster blend of varieties. Constantly eating any of the foods stated above will not be enough to keep those infections away. You need to focus more on the daily intakes and serving portion sizes to avoid taking too much or too little.
