Coronavirus is currently bringing the world to a standstill, and the least you want to do is to fill your body with junk and engage in other unhealthy habits.
What we all need more than ever are foods that can boost our immune system.
Well, your face masks, hand sanitizers, washing your hands regularly, social distance, and of course maintaining a clean environment.
Eating some foods in your body can help to keep your immune system healthy. If you’re searching for ways to avoid winter colds and flu.
Here are eight foods that can boost your immune system.
1. Mushrooms
Mushrooms are rich in vitamins selenium and B plus riboflavin and niacin. Healthy for the digestive system.
For example, selenium is an antioxidant that helps to lessen oxidative stress, minimize inflammation, and improve immunity.
Besides, it has been shown that vitamin B6 stimulates significant biochemical reactions in your immune system.
In particular, shiitake mushrooms are an ideal choice because they are rich in vitamins B, vitamin D, niacin, and seven of eight essential amino acids.
Even Chaga mushrooms are an excellent alternative for immune boosters. They have the most potent antioxidant concentrations and also have a high amount of zinc, which is essential for your immune system to function as well.
Another extra bonus is that Mushrooms are rich in polysaccharides, sugar-like molecules that enhance immune function.
The polysaccharides found in mushrooms associate with macrophages, neutrophils, monocytes, and dendritic cells, all large team members of our immune system.
2. Acai berry
Acai berry is a black-purple fruit originating in Brazil, Trinidad, and some parts of South America from the acai palm tree. This fruit is of a high anthocyanin quality. Those molecules of flavonoids are powerful antioxidants.
They are battling oxidative stress in your body by trimming up free radicals. The antioxidants are associated with improving immunity and reducing body inflammation. There has never been a great time to eat a bowl of acai.
This berry is such a potent antioxidant and immune system stimulator; it is being studied by researchers as a possible cure for all sorts of conditions.
Areas of research include the use of acai and how it helps you; reduced cancer of the rectum; constipation and other possible research may involve certain factors (e.g., yeast infections, flu) Increasing prostate-specific antigen (PSA); cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome.
3. Pomegranate
Pomegranate’s influence on immune protection is multifactorial and contains multiple pathogen “genres.”
Note the pomegranate extract compounds have been shown to prevent the growth of dangerous bacteria, such as Escherichia coli O157: H7, Salmonella, Yersinia, Shigella, Listeria, Clostridium, and Staphylococcus aureus.
It has also been shown that pomegranate extracts have antiviral qualities that are effective against the flu and other viruses.
As if it weren’t enough, it has also been shown that pomegranate extracts stimulate the development of beneficial gut flora such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus that can also give your immune system a good boost.
4. Watermelon
Watermelon is a fruit that boosts the immune system. Each 2-cup watermelon serving has 270 mg potassium, 30 percent of vitamin A’s daily value, and 25 percent of vitamin C’s value. Calories are by no way high of watermelon.
Each 2-cup watermelon serving just has 80 calories. Even, watermelon contains vitamin B6 and glutathione.
For proper immune function, the body requires certain supplements, nutrients, and compounds like glutathione.
Ways to eat slices of watermelon
A slice of watermelon is the most popular way to taste this fruit. Here are a few innovative ways you can eat watermelon.
- Snack on a watermelon arugula salad with feta cheese on top.
- Love a frozen sorbet of watermelon.
- Recharge with watermelon, lime pops, ginger.
- Create a fruit salad with watermelon and finish it with a honey, mint, and lemon dressing.
- Have a bottle of strawberry watermelon lemonade.
5. Almond
Almonds are excellent foods to snack on in between meals or as breakfast. They are an outstanding source of vitamin E.
They are a vital factor in keeping the immune system healthy alongside vitamin C. This is also a potent antioxidant that is important for proper immune function.
When the T-cells are weakened by excessive oxidative stress, they may not be able to build an adequate immune response to any pathogen attacks on the body. Vitamin E also plays a key function in differentiating T-cells.
Only half a cup of almonds will give you almost 100 percent of the daily dose of vitamin E prescribed. A pinch of almonds is a perfect snack for extra texture and spice at any period, or you can use them in your cooking too.
6. Wheat germ
Wheat germ is the wheat kernel’s innermost component. It’s the grain’s richest nutrient ingredient.
The wheat germ is high in vitamins B, zinc, and E. Sprinkle the wheat germ on top of cereal or yogurt or apply it to a shake.
Wheat germ allows a simple inclusion in baked goods to pump up the nutrients. To get some extra vitamins and minerals, swap the wheat germ for a piece of white flour in your recipes.
7. Garlic
As you may know, Garlic is an essential ingredient in almost all of the world’s cuisines and for a valid reason. Garlic produces the alliin sulfoxide, and alliin transforms into allicin when crushed or chewed.
Since allicin is unstable, it transforms into compounds that contain sulfur, which is believed to give garlic its medicinal qualities.
It was found to increase immune system function by activating macrophages, lymphocytes, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, and eosinophils.
8. Spinach
One of the healthy foods you need to add to your diet is spinach. Due to the high content of folate, vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, magnesium, and iron, Spinach steals the show as a superfood.
Spinach nutrients improve immune function and provide the body with the nutrients required for cell division and DNA repair.
Reap full spinach benefits by eating it raw or gently cooked to conserve the nutrients.
In conclusion, exercise can keep you fit, but you need to maintain a healthy diet to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. As you work out, do well to maintain a healthy diet.
