Top 5 Foods That Boost Your Immune System Quickly

Today, we are here to give you an uplifting news: You can help your immune system perform at its best, which can significantly help to keep you healthy and fit. By doing your utmost to stay healthy, you will have a sense of control during these uncertain times.

Your immune system’s main job is to defend your body against disease and illnesses. Did you know that diet plays a big role in helping your body ward off infections and toxins? Unfortunately, many Americans don’t eat enough of fresh vegetables and fruits.

It’s not enough to eat one apple and expect a surge of vitamins in your body to help prevent a cold. For you to have an immune system that functions optimally, you need a balanced combination of vitamins and minerals, plus regular exercise and good sleep. Think of your immune system as an orchestra. It is a system, not a single entity. For your immune system to perform at its best, it needs harmony and balance. Adopting general strategies on healthy living are a good way to start.

Let’s focus on diet. Here are the top 5 foods that will help boost your immune system quickly.

1. Ginger

Ginger is one of the best anti-inflammatory natural remedies out there. It is also one of the best foods for relief against a common cold. Inflammation can directly affect the body’s immune response, and ginger can play a key role in helping combat inflammation and boost your immunity.

2. Oranges

Oranges are rich in vitamin C and is a great natural remedy when you are feeling under the weather. The National Center for Epidemiology and Population Health says that this valuable vitamin is especially helpful in preventing the common cold, especially for those who are exposed to viruses and bacteria.

3. Turmeric

We know turmeric can give our meals that delicious kick, but are you aware that it is also a potent anti-inflammatory? The compound curcumin that gives turmeric its striking orange-yellow hue activates the production of cells that fight for your immune system’s health.

4. Blueberries

Blueberries are nutritious, sweet, and are known to have one of the highest level of antioxidants of all the vegetables and fruits. Often labelled a superfruit, blueberries are rich in flavonoids, which directly helps to boost antioxidant levels in your body.

5. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are packed with vitamin C, and you’ll get so much more of its goodness when concentrated in juice. Tomatoes are also a great source of potassium folate, vitamin C, and vitamin K.

Other vitamin-rich foods include:

• Green tea
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Eggs
• Garlic
• Apples
• Nuts
• Raw honey
• Rosemary
• Mushrooms
• Strawberries
• Carrots
• Kale
• Cheese
• Tofu
• Nuts
• Beans
• Seafoods

Finally, do your best to stay hydrated by drinking adequate water everyday. A healthy immune system needs nourishment on a regular basis. While no supplement or food can completely prevent you from catching a bacteria or virus, these top 5 foods that boost your immune system quickly may help.

If you need more tips on health and wellness, get in touch with us at Physicians Premier, your ER in Corpus Christi.

Sources:

“Overview of the Immune System,” NIH, https://www.niaid.nih.gov/research/immune-system-overview.  

“Helpful ways to strengthen your immune system and fight off disease,” Harvard Health, Sept. 2014, https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-boost-your-immune-system.  

Douglas RM1, Hemila H, D’Souza R, Chalker EB, Treacy B. “Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold,” PubMed, 18 Oct. 2004, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15495002.