Anti-flu Immune System Boosters

Anti-flu Immune System Boosters

Your immune system is your body’s version of the military: sworn to defend against all who threaten it, both foreign and domestic. It has some really interesting soldiers that help make this possible. Your immune system protects against disease, infection, and helps you recover after an injury.

Healthy eating, rest and hydration are the start of preventing colds, coughs, and the flu. Fueling your body with certain foods may help keep your immune system strong. This list is compiled to help you fuel your body right in this flu season.

1. Citrus Fruits

Most people turn to vitamin C after they've caught a cold. That’s because it helps build up your immune system. Vitamin C is thought to increase the production of white blood cells. These are key to fighting infections.

Popular citrus fruits include:

• Grapefruit
• Oranges
• Lemons
• Limes

Because your body doesn't produce or store it, you need daily vitamin C for continued health. Almost all citrus fruits are high in vitamin C. With such a variety to choose from, it's easy to add a squeeze of this vitamin to any meal.

2. Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes are high in antioxidants that protect your body from free radical damage and chronic disease. Like carrots, sweet potatoes have beta-carotene. In your body that turns into vitamin A, which mops up damaging free radicals. This helps bolster the immune system and may even improve the aging process.

3. Garlic, Turmeric & Ginger 

These kitchen staples do more than punch up the flavor of food.

Raw garlic can help beat skin infections thanks to its ability to fight bacteria, viruses, and fungi.  Ginger is also a good source of antioxidants which can help reduce a sore throat and other inflammatory illnesses. Ginger may also help decrease nausea. 

Turmeric is a bright yellow, bitter spice that has also been used for years as an anti-inflammatory in treating both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Also, researchTrusted Source shows that high concentrations of curcumin, which gives turmeric its distinctive color, can help decrease exercise-induced muscle damage.

Either by adding turmeric, ginger and garlic to meals when cooking or steeping them in hot water to make tea, the health benefits to enjoy from consuming them cannot be overemphasized. Antioxidants work best in your body when they are consumed in their natural forms rather than as supplements.

4. Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are very high in vitamin C, with a single one providing up to 169% of the RDI.  This means that ounce for ounce, bell peppers contain twice as much vitamin C as citrus. They’re also a rich source of beta carotene. Besides boosting your immune system, vitamin C may help maintain healthy skin. Beta carotene helps keep your eyes and skin healthy. 

So my friends, now’s the time to showcase your culinary skills as you brighten up your meals and guard up your immune system with the colourful blend of green & red peppers and carrots to your food.

5. Watermelon

Drinking water is an important way to keep your body hydrated. However, eating foods that have a high water content can also help. Interestingly, watermelon is 92% water.

What’s more, watermelon is not only refreshing, when  ripe, it's also got plenty of an antioxidant called glutathione. This strengthens the immune system so it can fight infection. To get the most glutathione in your watermelon, eat the red pulpy flesh near the rind.

NOTE: This article does not substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Always seek medical attention.