With all of the stress in our lives and the lack of time for good rest, our immune system takes a beating. With a poor immune system, we tend to have a lack of energy, get sick all the time, put on weight easier, and have poor digestion. To strengthen our immune system, we can take vitamins, get more sun, take some time to distress, and get more sleep. Another great way to boost your immune system is by eating immunity boosting foods. Below are the 7 best foods to eat to help boost your immune system.
1. Red Bell Peppers
Most people consider citrus fruits to be the best source of vitamin C but ounce for ounce, red bell peppers provide more vitamin C than any other food. They also contain an antioxidant that is great for your eyes and skin called beta carotene which gives it the red color.
2. Broccoli – Top 7 Foods to Boost Your Immune System
Broccoli is one of the most vitamin stuffed vegetables to eat. It has high contents of vitamins A, C, and E. Its high fiber content as well as other vitamins and minerals in broccoli make it a very healthy choice any day of the week. To preserve its vitamin content, eat it raw.
3. Garlic
Because of its highly sulfuric content of allic and other compounds, garlic is considered to be an antibacterial and antiviral food. It helps the body to fight off disease and is also great for high blood pressure.
4. Greek Yogurt – Top 7 Foods to Boost Your Immune System
This type of yogurt has more live cultures than the other varieties making it high in probiotics. These microscopic bacteria are actually good for you, working in the digestive system to fight off bad bacteria and keeping the immune system strong and healthy. Greek yogurt also contains vitamin D, which is another great vitamin that helps the body fight against sickness.
5. Spinach
Spinach delivers many of the same benefits as broccoli and just like broccoli, its best when eaten raw or lightly cooked. It contains vitamin A, C, and many more vitamins and minerals. Like red bell pepper, it contains beta carotene. This green leafy veggie is great as a substitute for lettuce in salads or tossed into pasta, soups, and casseroles.
6. Green Tea – Top 7 Foods to Boost Your Immune System
This drink contains flavonoids, which are antioxidants that detox the bodies of damaged cells. It also contains EGCG, or epigallocatechin gallate, a different antioxidant that is not only known for its immune boosting properties, but also helps to improve your metabolism. That’s a nice bonus, isn’t it? Green tea also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that strengthens the T-cells ability to fight off infections.
7. Poultry
Ever wonder why mom always cooked chicken soup when you had a cold? Well, chicken, all poultry as a matter of fact, contains high levels of B-6. This vitamin works to create new red blood cells and strengthen the red blood cells you already have. If you add the bones, you’ll also get extra nutrition from the gelatin and other vitamins that are great to bolster the immune system.
Strengthen you immune system now, before you get sick, by integrating these 7 foods into your daily diet.
This article originally appeared on TalkAboutWellbeing.com.
