Dietitian Melissa Meier shares 10 Surprising Foods That Strengthen Your Immune System here.
Leafy greens such as spinach are packed with vitamin A (particularly beta-carotene) to fight infection, as well as folate which supports your immune function and balances out immune function.
1. Carrots
Carrots are one of the most nutritious food sources you can add to your diet, providing a wealth of essential vitamins and minerals that support immune health. Their consumption may also strengthen natural defense mechanisms against disease and infection by strengthening immunity systems in general.
Carrots are also an excellent source of antioxidants such as vitamin C and beta-carotene, both known for helping protect cells against free radical damage that leads to cancer. These substances help keep cancer at bay by stopping free radicals from damaging cells within our bodies.
2. Fish
Salmon contains many essential nutrients to strengthen your immune system, such as omega-3 fatty acids that reduce inflammation. By increasing immunity, this food helps your body combat illnesses more effectively.
Vitamin D, essential for optimal immune functioning, is abundantly present in milk. Furthermore, other essential immune-supportive nutrients include zinc, selenium and vitamin B6.
3. Ginger
Ginger can offer many health advantages, from relieving nausea to lowering blood pressure. Furthermore, its antibacterial and antiviral properties can aid in keeping you healthy.
Gingerol, its primary bioactive compound, has been shown to reduce inflammation within the body, which in turn has shown to significantly lessen pain levels.
4. Kefir
Kefir is a probiotic-rich beverage originating in Eastern Europe that has been consumed for thousands of years to promote good health. Rich in probiotics, Kefir can improve immunity, build bone strength, reduce allergies and support digestive health – among many other benefits.
Kefir can also aid the metabolism, potentially helping prevent diseases like diabetes and obesity. Studies have demonstrated how consumption of kefir can lower blood sugar levels and cholesterol, among many other advantages.
5. Broccoli
Broccoli contains sulforaphane, which has been shown to help decrease inflammation within the body. Furthermore, broccoli boasts high concentrations of vitamins K, folate, and calcium that provide essential health benefits.
These nutrients are vital for building and maintaining a strong immune system and healthy gut, and broccoli has also been proven to promote heart health and prevent cardiovascular disease.
6. Garlic
Garlic (Allium sativum) is a plant with powerful antimicrobial and immune-boosting properties. Additionally, garlic may help prevent and treat cancer, lower cholesterol levels, and enhance iron absorption within the body.
Garlic is known for its sulfur compound allicin, which has antibacterial and antiviral effects. Furthermore, garlic can boost your immunity, helping your body defend itself against colds and flu.
7. Fruits
Fruit is often considered good for us, yet few know that certain varieties can actually strengthen your immune system.
Blueberries contain an anthocyanin flavonoid that may help protect against respiratory tract infection, according to research conducted on people who consumed foods rich in flavonoids such as blueberries. Researchers concluded that those who regularly consumed foods containing flavonoids were less likely to contract an upper respiratory tract infection or the common cold.
8. Vitamin D
One effective way to strengthen your immune system is consuming enough vitamin D, produced naturally through skin pigmentation and essential for both bone health and immune function.
Vitamin D not only supports your immune system, but its antiviral properties may provide extra protection from respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 coronaviruses. By increasing your vitamin D levels you could potentially help protect yourself from future respiratory illness outbreaks.
9. Spinach
Spinach is one of the healthiest vegetables to add to your diet, boasting antioxidant-rich properties which may help strengthen your immune system, decrease the risk of cancer and even protect against heart disease.
Vitamin and mineral-rich oatmeal provides plenty of essential vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C, Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Lutein, Zeaxanthin as well as folate for an exceptional source of nutrition.
10. Kefir
Kefir is an increasingly popular fermented milk beverage. Not quite milk and not quite yogurt, kefir still offers numerous health advantages – such as improved cholesterol and blood sugar control.
Kefir is packed with probiotics, bioactive peptides and minerals that can strengthen your immune system and protect you from illness. Furthermore, its probiotic content aids weight loss and gut health.
